National Non-Domestic Rates, usually known as Business Rates, is a tax on all non-domestic properties and is the means by which businesses and others who occupy or own these properties contribute towards the cost of local services.
The Valuation Office Agency, a division of the Inland Revenue, is responsible for valuing non-domestic properties and assessing the rateable values. The Government sets the rate in the pound (the multiplier) each year and the rates bill is calculated by multiplying the rateable value of a property by the rate in the pound. Following a revaluation (which takes place every five years), the amount payable may also be reduced or increased by the transitional scheme that phases in the effects of the new valuation.

Local authorities like Runnymede are responsible for collecting the rates and passing this to the Government. The proceeds are pooled by the Government and redistributed to local authorities on a formula basis to contribute to local government expenditure.

Revaluation 2005
Every five years the Valuation Office Agency gives all non-domestic properties new rateable values. The revaluation is not aimed at changing the amount of money collected nationally, but to make sure that individual rateable values reflect the changes that have taken place in the property market since the last revaluation in 2000. Your 2005/2006 rates bill will reflect the changes to your rateable value (see guide below for more information).

If you have a query about your valuation or wish to make an appeal you should contact the Guildford Valuation Office, West Block, Westbrook Mills, Borough Road, Godalming, GU7 2SG (Tel: 01483 702900). You can also appeal on-line at www.voa.gov.uk/business_rates/appeals.htm.

Rates Guides
The following guides will be helpful if you require more information about Business Rates:

Your Business Rates Bill 2005

Click here to view a PDF document which gives you some of the information you need to understand your bill and highlights some of the differences for 2005.

www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk is a Government-funded site, designed to provide businesses with a single source of clear and concise information on business rates. It is provided by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

Small Business Rate Relief
If your rateable value is less than £15,000 you may benefit from the new Small Business Rate Relief scheme that comes into force on 1st April 2005. Please read the information on the back of your rate bill to check whether you are eligible. If so, you can download an application form by clicking here, or request one from the Business Rates office. Contact details are provided below or at the top of your rate bill.

Click here access a calculator to check how much relief you will be entitled to if you are eligible.

Paying your Business Rates
Runnymede Borough Council is responsible for collecting rates from all non-domestic premises in the Runnymede area. The Business Rates team will be pleased to help you with any enquiry. (Please see below for contact details).

Click here for a guide to when and how you can pay your Business Rates. This includes printable Direct Debit and Bankers Order forms.

Click here to pay your Business Rates on-line.

How to contact the Business Rates team
Click here for information on how to contact us. We can help with any queries regarding your Rates including moving in or out of a property, payment enquiries or claiming an exemption or relief.

How to contact the local Valuation Office
ss for details.

Rating Advisers
Ratepayers do not have to be represented in discussions about their Rateable Value or their Rates bill. Appeals can be made free of charge. However, if you do decide to employ a Rating Adviser you are strongly advised to check that they have the necessary knowledge and expertise, as well as appropriate indemnity insurance. Members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (www.rics.org.uk) and the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (www.irrv.org.uk) are qualified and are regulated by rules of professional conduct designed to protect the public from misconduct.

The Runnymede Business Partnership
The Partnership was set up in 1997 to promote Runnymede based businesses. Click here for more information including details of the free Business Directory, the Loyalty Card Scheme to encourage shoppers to use local businesses, and a list of vacant business premises in the Borough.