Business rates
What are business rates?
Non-domestic rates are commonly known as business rates,
and are a
national tax on buildings or structures which are not used for
domestic accommodation.
The tax is assessed by a district valuer who compiles a 'list'
every five years which shows the address, description and rateable
value of every assessment within Borough of
Broxbourne.
Broxbourne Borough Council are responsible for billing and
collecting the rates within their boundaries, which is then paid
into a national non-domestic rating pool. The amount
collected by the pool is redistributed back to councils in the
form of a grant, based on the number of adults living in the
catchment area. This grant is used to help pay for the
services which the Council provides.
Who pays business rates?
The occupier of a non-domestic assessment is responsible
for paying the business rate. If
a property is empty it could still be
liable for 'unoccupied property rates'. If this is
the case, the person who holds the legal title (eg lease or
licence) for the property is liable.
What is a non-domestic assessment?
This simply means something on which rates can be charged.
For example, an advertising hoarding on the side of a building is
not a property but it still attracts a valuation for non-domestic
rates.