Business Rates - Frequently Asked Questions
Business Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why have I received a reminder/final notice/summons?
- How is the money I pay spent?
- My property is empty. Am I entitled to any relief?
- What is my Rateable Value?
- How can I appeal against my Rateable Value?
- I have business premises that I wish to rent out. Who is liable for rates?
- How can I find out what's payable on a business property in Tameside?
- How do I register for Business Rates?
- How much do I owe?
- How do I request a statement of account?
- I need a copy bill
- My business is suffering financial hardship. What can I do?
- I am only using part of my premises. Is there any relief available?
- I am having difficulty paying. Can I make an arrangement and request a payment card?
- Will I be charged for Business Rates if I work from home?
- Is there any relief for small businesses?
Why have I received a reminder/final notice/summons?
- Business Rates must be paid in accordance with the installment outlined on the bill to avoid recovery action.
- When one installment is missed a Reminder Notice will be issued.
- If the Reminder is paid within the time period specified and future installment are kept up to date, no further action will be taken.
- Please note that paying within the month will not always avoid recovery , it is important to make payment on the date shown on the bill.
- If the Reminder Notice is paid, but a subsequent installment is defaulted upon, a Final Notice is issued.
- The Final Notice requests the full outstanding balance to be paid within 7 days (it is not enough just to bring the instalment up to date).
- If this is not paid in full within 7 days a Summons is issued for which £83.00 costs are incurred.
- At the Magistrates Court we will apply for a Liability Order.
- The Liability Order gives us the power to send a bailiff to seize your goods. The bailiff can then auction the goods to pay the bill, and the bailiff's fees. You will be charged for the visit by the bailiff even if you are not in when the bailiff calls.
How is the money I pay spent?
Business Rates collected by all Councils are paid into a central government pool and then redistributed to local councils according to the population in each area.
My property is empty. Am I entitled to any relief?
Find out more about empty property relief
What is my Rateable Value?
You can check your rateable value on-line at www.voa.gov.uk 
How can I appeal against my Rateable Value?
The Valuation Officer may alter the value if he believes that the circumstances of the property have changed. The ratepayer (and certain others who have an interest in the property) may also in certain circumstances propose a change in value. If in any case the ratepayer and the Valuation Officer do do agree, the matter will be referred as an appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. You may contact the Valuation Office at this address;
The Valuation Office Agency, Beckwith House, 1 Wellington Road North, Stockport, SK4 1AH
0161-252-7900 | www.voa.gov.uk
Please note that if you have appealed against your rateable value, payment is still due as detailed on your Rates Bill and cannot be withheld pending the outcome of your appeal.
I have business premises that I wish to rent out. Who is responsible for rates?
Under normal circumstances the occupier/leaseholder/tenant is responsible for payment of the rates, unless there is a clause in the lease whereby the landlord is liable for the rates.
How can I find out what's payable on a business property in Tameside?
Contact the Business Rates Section who will be able to provide you with the approximate amount payable on any business property in Tameside.
How do I register for Business Rates
Use the contact details below to contact us and register for Business Rates.
How much do I owe?
Use the online balance service to check how much you owe.
How do I request a statement of account?
The online service is temporarily unavailable, please telephone 0161 342 2045 for information.
I need a copy bill
You can request a copy bill by filling in this copy bill request form.
My business is suffering financial hardship. What can I do?
Hardship Relief is a rate relief which may be offered at the discretion of the Authority to ratepayers who are suffering financial hardship in payment of their Business Rates. Click here to find out more about Hardship Relief.
I am only using part of my premises. Is there any relief available?
Section 44(a) relief is a temporary relief which may be awarded to business ratepayers who are only using part of their premises and the remaining unoccupied area is completely unused. Click here to find out more about this type of relief.
I am having difficulty paying, can I make an arrangement?
If you are having difficulty paying your account, contact the Business Rates Section on the details below to discuss a payment plan..
Will I be charged for Business Rates if I work from home?
You will only be liable to pay Business Rates if you have structurally altered your property in order to cater for your business.
If you are only using a room in your home as an office, you will not be charged for Business Rates.
If you are still unsure please contact us.
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 Send us a Message |
 Exchequer and Support Services (Business Rates Section) Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map 
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 0161 342 2045
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 0161 342 4416
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