Rural Rate Relief

 

The rural rate relief scheme was introduced to help protect the last retail outlets and similar services in rural settlements with a population of less than 3,000.

Under the scheme, the following businesses in designated rural settlements are entitled to 50% mandatory rate relief:

• the sole village shop or post office with a rateable value of up to £8,500
• the sole public house or petrol station with a rateable value of up to £12,500

At the Autumn Statement on 23 November 2016 the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed that rural rate relief will double from 50% to 100% from 1 April 2017.

The Government intends to amend the relevant primary legislation to require local authorities to grant 100% mandatory rural rate relief but as a temporary measure has given the Council the discretion to award up to 100% rural rate relief to eligible business ratepayers

Last Updated: 30 March 2020