What are business rates

Who needs to pay, who does not need to pay.

Business rates (also known as ‘non-domestic rates’) are charges for businesses which use non-domestic properties.

The payments we collect help pay for local services within the borough, in Surrey and throughout the UK.

For more information go to business rates – GOV.UK.

Who needs to pay

Business rates are payable by the occupier of a non-domestic property. This is normally the owner or occupier or the leaseholder of the property.

Rates are also payable for an unoccupied property. Empty property relief is available for a limited time.

Most non-domestic properties have to pay business rates. These include: 

  • shops
  • offices
  • pubs
  • warehouses
  • factories
  • holiday rental homes
  • guest houses

Some businesses may qualify for business rates relief.

Who does not need to pay

Certain properties are exempt from business rates payments.

Check exempt properties – GOV.UK