Rural Rate Relief

Relief from Business Rates is available for certain types of business which are situated in a Rural Settlement (a rural village with a population of less than 3000). Each year the Council updates its Rural Settlement Area List. Please see the list of documents to the right for the most recent Rural Settlement Lists.

The full Rural Rate relief criteria is explained within the Councils Discretionary Rate Relief Policy. Discretionary Rate Relief Policy

Mandatory Rural Rate Relief

If your property is in use/occupied, and meets the criteria described in the five categories below, your bill will be reduced by 100%.

General Store

  • business is a store, which wholly or mainly sells food for human consumption and general household goods
  • no other such business within the Rural Settlement
  • rateable value is £8500 or less

Post Office

  • premises used for purposes of the Post Office
  • no other such business within the Rural Settlement
  • rateable value is £8500 or less

Food Shop

  • business is a store, which wholly or mainly sells food for human consumption
  • no other such business within the Rural Settlement
  • rateable value is £8500 or less
  • this excludes the sale of confectionery and the supply of food in the course of catering. This condition therefore excludes restaurants, cafes, tea rooms and "fast food" shops but food shops which sell only a small amount of heated food will be eligible.

Public House

  • premises where a premises licence has been granted in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003, which authorises the sale of alcohol, for consumption on the premises, whereby sales are not made on the condition that the buyer resides at or consumes food on the premises.
  • no other such business within the Rural Settlement
  • rateable value is £12,500 or less

Petrol Filling Station

  • premises where petrol or other fuels are sold to the general public for fuelling motor vehicles (which are intended or adapted for use on the roads)
  • no other such business within the Rural Settlement
  • rateable value is £12,500 or less

Discretionary Rural Rate Relief

If your business does not fit the above criteria but your property has a rateable value of £16,500 or less and is within a rural settlement, you may apply for rural discretionary rate relief. The Council can consider an award of rural discretionary relief up to 100%, if it is satisfied that the business is of benefit to the community and having regard to the interests of its Council Taxpayers.

To apply for Rural Rate Relief:

Please click on the link to the application form at the side/bottom of this page, to download a printable form. Please complete and return the form with the supporting information requested. Alternatively, you may ask for a paper copy to be posted to you by emailing businessrates@testvalley.gov.uk.