Charitable rate relief
Our discretionary rate relief policy provides guidance on when you might be eligible for charitable rate relief.
Registered charities automatically get 80 percent mandatory relief on their business rates if the property is occupied and used for charitable purposes. Registered community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) are also entitled to 80 percent relief on any non-domestic property that is mainly used for the purposes of that club.
You may also be entitled to up to 20 percent discretionary rate relief top up. This additional relief is only allowed in exceptional circumstances.
It could include cases where:
- Payment of the rates, after deducting the mandatory relief, will jeopardise the future of the organisation, or where
- Payment might prevent continuing occupation of the premises concerned, and where
- The loss of the facility would be against the interests of the community
Awards are only made after giving careful consideration to the Council’s wider financial position, its Council Tax payers and its own discretionary rate relief policies.
Organisations which are eligible to apply for charitable discretionary rate relief includes registered charities, not-for-profit recreational clubs and organisations involved in:
- Education
- Social welfare
- Science
- Literature
- Fine arts
- Religious
- Philanthropic
Please note: Your current rates are due and payable while your application is being processed.