Business Rates – Frequently Asked Questions

Rateable Value x Multiplier = Liability

You can find the Rateable Value by searching for the post code of your property here:

Find a business rates valuation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please click the link below for the Business Rates multiplier of the year:

Estimate your business rates - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We have a webpage dedicated to reliefs. Further information can be found here:

Reductions & Reliefs | Test Valley Borough Council

If your rateable value is below £15,000 you may be eligible. You can find further information here:

Small Business Rate Relief | Test Valley Borough Council

You will automatically be set up for 10 instalments from April to January, however you can make a request to pay by 12 instalments from April to March.

We set instalments at the start of the financial year. If you miss an instalment or pay late, this will trigger our recovery process and you will receive a reminder notice.

If you don’t pay the arrears/instalments after the reminder notice, you will receive a summons.

If you do pay the arrears but then fall behind again later in the year you will receive a final notice, which takes away your right to pay by instalments. If you do not pay after receiving the final notice, you will receive a summons.

A summons gives you notice of a court hearing, where the council will be granted a liability order. This gives the council alternative methods to recover the arrears.

Your credit rating will not be affected as we use the Magistrates court.

If a payment has not been collected for 12 months or more then we will need a new direct debit to restart the payments. You can set up your direct debit online here:

Business Rates Online Services | Test Valley Borough Council

You may still have to pay business rates after an initial exempt period.

Further information can be found here:

Empty Properties | Test Valley Borough Council

It would be helpful if you could fill in the relevant form below:

New Occupier form: This form is for occupiers of properties who do not already have a Business Rates account with Test Valley Borough Council.

Moving within or out of the Test Valley area: This form is for ratepayers, landlords and property agents who already have a Business Rates account with Test Valley Borough Council.

Landlords form: (xlsx, 9kb) This form is for Landlords to keep us updated with changes in occupancy in their properties. Please download a copy and email it to the Business Rates team at businessrates@testvalley.gov.uk

You can email our Business Rates team at businessrates@testvalley.gov.uk

If you have a property in England and it is available to let for 140 days or more per year and has been actually let for 70 or more days in the past 12 months, then you will need to register for business rates as a self-catering or holiday let property. Until these criteria are met the property will be in the domestic rating list and be billed council tax.