National Non-Domestic Rates

Some Common Questions

How is the money I pay spent?
How can I find out what's payable on a non-domestic property in the Dover district?
How do I register for paying Non-domestic rates?
I am moving out. What do I need to do?
Why have I received a reminder/final notice/summons?
How can I appeal against my rateable value?
I am only using part of my property. Is there any relief available?
My business is suffering financial hardship. What relief is available?
What other relief is available?

How is the money I pay spent?

Non-domestic rates collected by all councils are paid into a central government pool and redistributed to each council in accordance with a prescribed formula.

How can I find out what's payable on a non-domestic property in the Dover district?

Contact the Non-Domestic Rates Section who will be able to provide the approximate amount payable on any non-domestic property in the district.

How do I register for paying non-domestic rates?

You may notify us:

By Telephone: 01304 872195
By Fax: 01304 872104
In Writing: Non-Domestic Rates Section, Revenues and Benefits Division, Dover District Council, White Cliffs Business Park, Dover, Kent CT16 3PJ
In Person: Visit any of the Council offices.
By Form: Please complete the form designed for the purpose. The form can be completed on-line but needs to be printed, signed and posted back to us.

I am moving out. What do I need to do?

You can use our online form to tell us you have moved house / changed your address.

If you still own or have an ongoing lease on the property you may be liable for empty property rates. The schedule shown below shows the type of property eligible for full relief and those that are not.

Empty Relief
Type of Property	Rateable Value	Entitlement of Relief
All	Less than £2,200	Exempt from paying Empty Rates
Commercial	£2,200 and over	Exempt for first 3 months from date of vacation. Full rates payable thereafter.
Industrial	All	Exempt for first 6 months from date of vacation. Full rates payable thereafter
Commercial Property - Shops, Offices, Public Houses etc. Industrial Property - Factories, Workshops, Warehouses, Stores etc. Please note that Retail Warehouses are classed as Commercial and not Industrial Listed buildings and those owned by Charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs will be granted complete exemption from empty property rates. For full details contact the Non-Domestic Rates Section.

Why have I received a reminder/final notice/summons?

Non-domestic rates must be paid in accordance with the instalments shown on the bill to avoid recovery action.
When one instalment is missed a reminder notice is issued
If the amount on the reminder is paid within the time period specified and future instalments are kept up to date, no further action will be taken.
Please note that paying within the month will not always avoid recovery. It is important to make payment by the date shown on the bill.
If the amount on the reminder notice is paid, but a subsequent instalment is defaulted upon, a final notice is issued.
The final notice requests the full outstanding balance to be paid within 7 days. Please note that at this stage it is not enough to bring the outstanding instalments up to date.
If the full amount is not paid within 7 days a summons may be issued.
At the Magistrates Court hearing the council applies for a liability order and £100.00 costs.
The liability order gives the council the power to instruct a bailiff to seize your goods. The goods can be auctioned and sold to pay the outstanding bill, bailiff fees and other charges that may be due.
To avoid additional charges contact the Non-Domestic Rates Section as soon as you get into difficulty.

How can I appeal against my rateable value?

The local valuation officer sets the rateable value. He may alter the value if he believes that the circumstances of the property have changed. The ratepayer (and certain others who have an interest in the property) may in certain circumstances propose a change in value. In any case that the ratepayer and valuation officer do not agree, the matter will be referred as an appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. You can contact the valuation officer at this address:

The Valuation Office Agency
Palting House
Trinity Road
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 2TP

Tel: 01303 852900

Further details are available on the Valuation Office Agency website at: www.voa.gov.uk

Please note that even if you have appealed against your rateable value, payment is still due as shown on your bill and cannot be withheld pending the outcome of the appeal.

I am only using part of my property. Is any relief available?

Temporary relief may be given where only a part of a property is in use and the remaining area is completely unused. More on relief for properties only partly occupied.

My business is suffering financial hardship. What relief is available?

Relief from rates, in whole or in part may be considered at the discretion of the council and offered to ratepayers who are suffering hardship in payment of their rates. More on hardship relief.

What other relief is available?

Relief from rates may be available where properties are occupied by:

* Charitable organisations and bodies not set up or conducted for profit
* Properties in Rural Settlements
* Rural post offices
* Rural general stores
* Rural public houses
* Rural petrol filling stations
* Rural food shops
* Newly established businesses in former agricultural premises
* Other rural property

If you require further information please contact the Non-Domestic Rates Section:

Telephone: 01304 872195
Fax: 01304 872104
Address: Non-Domestic Rates Section, Revenues and Benefits Division, Dover District Council, White Cliffs Business Park, Dover, Kent CT16 3PJ
E-mail: nndr@dover.gov.uk