What to do if your circumstances have changed

What is meant by a change of circumstances?

This could be a change to any thing, or any part of your business, that may affect the Business Rates that you are liable to pay. It may also affect a relief, or other allowance that you are getting. 

What sort of changes do you mean?

Examples of changes that may affect the Business Rates you are liable to pay are:

• If you move to a new permanent business address. This is the most common change.
• If your property is empty and you are getting a 50% allowance and the property becomes reoccupied, such as by a new tenant.
• If you make structural alterations.
• If there is a change in the use of the property.
• If you are getting Charitable Rate Relief and the charitable status changes or, the reason for the relief no longer exists.
• If you are getting an allowance for partial occupation and the part of the property that is occupied either decreases or increases in size.
• If your property is exempt from Business Rates and the reason for the exemption no longer exists.

If I think there has been a change of circumstances, what should I do?

You must tell us straight away, in writing, what the changes are, giving full details.

Not every change you need to tell us about is shown above. If you are in any doubt about any change of circumstances, tell us anyway.

In some cases, if you fail to tell us of a change we may take legal action against you.

What will happen when I tell you about a change?

We will have another look at the situation and, if necessary, work out your Business Rate liability again. If there is a change, either up or down, we will send you a new Business Rate bill which will also show your new payments.

If there have been structural alterations or a change of use, we may have to refer the matter to the Valuation Office Agency to reassess the property.

You can get advice by phoning the Revenues office.

Revenues Office

E-mail:

business.rates@thanet.gov.uk

Phone: 01843 577557
from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm Friday

Fax: 01843 577532

or Visit our offices