Business Rates Assessment

[Jane_McCausland]

I have run a small B & B for nine years, offering two rooms on a B & B basis. I have just been inspected by the Valuation Office and assessed for Business Rates as they have classified the rooms as Self Catering Units. They have a hob and microwave as part of a mini kitchen. However, I have always promoted the business as B & B and provide a cooked breakfast (in the main dining room) or delivered by tray. I would not even qualify as Self Catering accommodation as the rooms do not have separate lounge facilities. Any ideas on grounds for appeal? I consider my business no different that any other residential property offering two rooms.

[jonathanward]

Business rates are calculated on the basis of £750 per bed (doubles count twice). If the total value is less that £6,000 you automatically qualify for a 50% discount under small business rate relief. Until October 2012 there is 100% relief. I found our two holiday lets would be cheaper under business rates than normal council tax, so it isn't necessarily a bad thing. The council has also now decided that I have to pay an extra £100 to have their bins emptied but it will still be cheaper.

Jonathan

[jonathanward]

In England you will pay business rates. This works out cheaper for us than Council Tax. Additionally, for businesses with a rateable value below £6K, the government has set a zero rate for this year until October and it looks as though they are going to extend it for another year.

Jonathan

[Andrew Clay]

Business rates are calculated on the basis of £750 per bed (doubles count twice). If the total value is less that £6,000 you automatically qualify for a 50% discount under small business rate relief. Until October 2012 there is 100% relief. I found our two holiday lets would be cheaper under business rates than normal council tax, so it isn't necessarily a bad thing. The council has also now decided that I have to pay an extra £100 to have their bins emptied but it will still be cheaper.

Jonathan
How can your council only charge £100 per year to have the bins emptied? Our council says that as we are a business, we have to find our own supplier who insists we fill in endless forms saying what the contents of our bins are to comply with regulations regarding disposal of waste and have to keep these forms by law for a number of years. It costs us £155 every quarter to empty the bins including the EPA WTN Compliance fees just for one 3 bed holiday cottage!

[jonathanward]

How can your council only charge £100 per year to have the bins emptied? Our council says that as we are a business, we have to find our own supplier who insists we fill in endless forms saying what the contents of our bins are to comply with regulations regarding disposal of waste and have to keep these forms by law for a number of years. It costs us £155 every quarter to empty the bins including the EPA WTN Compliance fees just for one 3 bed holiday cottage!

They asked how many bins we wanted emptied at a rate of £50 pa and i said one recycling and one rubbish, which is what the two lets use. Maybe one up for Stratford district council. Mind you, i still don't see what I am getting from business rates when we do have to pay them.

Jonathan