Business Rates Relief

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You can reduce you business rates bill if you qualify for various forms of rates relief. The main categories of rates relief are:

Empty property
Rates are not payable for up to three months on an unoccupied property. After three months, a charge of 50% of the normal rate applies. 100% relief is available to industrial property, listed buildings, property vested in certain trustees or property with a rateable value of £1,700 or less. Industrial premises can qualify for empty property relief even when partly occupied.

Mandatory relief
Registered charitable organisations are entitled to 80% mandatory relief on any non domestic property used wholly or mainly for charitable purposes.

Discretionary relief
Renfrewshire Council has discretion to remit all or part of the remaining 20% of a charity's bill where mandatory relief has been awarded. Relief of up to 100% may be available for property occupied by certain bodies not established or conducted for profit, for example, sports, theatre, arts, clubs etc. Licensed clubs are not necessarily disqualified.

Disabled persons relief
Relief of rates is available to establishments providing nursing care.

Small business bonus scheme
From 1 April 2008, the Scottish Government have replaced the small business rates relief scheme with the small business bonus scheme. If you are already receiving the small business rates relief, your relief will have automatically transferred to the new scheme. If you still want to apply for the old scheme for a period before 01/04/08, please contact the rates staff on 0141 842 5211 or refer to the related content for alternative 'contact us' suggestions.

Under the small business bonus scheme, properties with a rateable value up to and including £8,000 will be entitled to an 80% reduction in their business rates. Properties with a rateable value of between £8,001 and £10,000 will receive a 40% reduction and properties with a rateable value between £10,001 and £15,000 will receive a 20% reduction.

To apply for the small business bonus scheme, please complete the online form below.

Small business bonus scheme form

Rural Post Offices/General stores
A sole Post Office or general store in a rural settlement having a rateable value under £7,000 may qualify for 50% mandatory relief.