Business rates relief and exemptions

Business rates reliefs and exemptions are a reduction against your business rates charge for certain circumstances.

What you are entitled to depends on the use of the premises, the type of property it is and its rateable value.

Transitional relief

From 1 April 2026 the government has introduced a scheme to limit how much your bill can increase each year as a result of national revaluation.

Find out how much your bill can change by, and check the percentage caps (GOV.UK)

We will adjust your bill automatically if you are eligible.

The 2026/27 financial year will include a 1p transitional supplement when calculating the rates charge but this will not be payable by ratepayers eligible for transitional relief or supporting small business relief.

Small business relief

If you occupy a building with a rateable value under £15,000 you may be able to get a reduction on business rates.

Find out more on our small business relief page.

Supporting small business relief (2026 scheme)

If your bill will increase when the next revaluation happens on 1 April 2026 you may be eligible for support if you are losing some or all of your: small business rates relief, rural rate relief, retail hospitality and leisure relief, or supporting small business relief (2023 scheme).

Find out how much you could get (GOV.UK)

We will adjust your bill automatically if you are eligible.

Charity and sports club relief

Charities and community amateur sports clubs can claim a reduction of up to 80% if the building is used for charitable or sports club purposes. This can be topped up to 100% with our discretion.

Find out more on our charity and sports club relief page.

Empty property exemption

Some business properties are exempt from business rates when they are empty.

Find out more on our empty property exemption page.

Part occupancy relief

You may get temporary business rates relief if part of your property is empty. This is also known as Section 44A relief.

Find out more on our part occupancy relief page.

Rural relief

You could get rural rate relief if your business is in a rural area with a population below 3,000.

Find out more on our rural relief page.

Pubs and live music venues relief

You may be eligible for relief if your business is a pub or live music venue.

Find out more on our pubs and live music venues relief page.

Financial hardship relief

If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to pay your business rates bill, you can apply to be considered for relief on your business rates.

Find out more on our financial hardship relief page.