From 1 April 2024, an improvement relief scheme will support businesses wishing to invest in their property. It will make sure no ratepayer has higher business rates bills for 12 months as a result of making qualifying improvements to a property they occupy. The scheme will run from 1 April 2024 to 1 April 2029.
What you’ll get
We will decide how much relief you get based on your property’s rateable value and the type of improvements you’ve made.
The relief will last for 12 months from when the improvements works were completed.
Eligibility
You will be entitled to improvement relief if:
- a certificate has been issued by the Valuation Office Agency, and has not been withdrawn or ceased to have effect
- you have been in occupation since the works started
- the works either increased the area or improved the physical state of any building.
You will not be entitled to improvement relief for:
- a newly constructed building
- a refurbished building that had left the rating list during the works
- a change of use alone
- the addition of land.
How to get improvement relief
Report changes to your property using your business rates valuation account at www.gov.uk/business-rates-valuation-account
The Valuation Office Agency will decide if the changes can be considered for improvement relief. They will send a certificate to you and Bury Council showing:
- how the improvement affects the property’s rateable value
- when the relief ends.
Once we have this certificate and have checked you were occupying the property for the duration of the improvements, we will:
- decide how much improvement relief you are entitled to
- send you a reduced business rates bill.
Where can I find out more information about improvement relief?
Full details of the scheme are available at: www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief/improvement-relief