Business rates

Business rates, or Non-Domestic Rates, are paid by every company or business and help to pay for local council services.

Since December 2005, business rates in East Renfrewshire are administered and collected by Renfrewshire Council. Your Council Tax is still administered and collected by East Renfrewshire Council.

The amount you pay is based on:

  • the rateable value of your property. The Assessor sets the rateable value, based on an estimate of the annual rental value on 1st April 2003.

multiplied by

  • the rate per pound announced annually by the Scottish Government. The national rate set for 2008-2009 is 45.8p per £.

Properties with a rateable value of over £29,000 will have a supplement of 0.4p per pound charged.

If you disagree with the rateable value of your property, you can appeal to the Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board. Contact details are at the bottom of this page.

Use the link on the left of this page to find out about how to pay.

Reductions

The following types of properties are eligible for a rates reduction:

  • Empty properties

  • Properties occupied by charities and non-profit organisations

  • Properties where nursing care is provided

  • Rural post offices and general stores

  • Properties that qualify for the Scottish Government's "Small Businesses Bonus Scheme"

See the Reductions link on the left for more details.

Contacts

If you have a business rates query, contact Renfrewshire Council at:

The Director of Finance & IT
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley, PA1 1AD

Telephone: (0141) 842 5211
Fax: (0141) 842 5353
Email: ndr.finit@renfrewshire.gov.uk

You can also make an enquiry in person at Renfrewshire House. Office opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm.

Valuation of properties

Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board
Robertson Centre
16 Glasgow Road
Paisley, PA1 3QF

Telephone: (0141) 842 5922
Email: assessor@renfrewshire-vjb.gov.uk

Website: Scottish Assessors Association - Renfrewshire

Water and sewerage services

Scottish Water
419 Balmore Road
Glasgow, G22 6NU

Telephone: 0845 601 8855
Email: customer.service@scottishwater.co.uk

Website: www.scottishwater.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: What are Non-Domestic Rates?
  • A: Non-Domestic Rates is the commercial/business equivalent of Council Tax and is payable on every building - i.e. shop, office, factory, and so on - that is not somewhere that people occupy as a home.
  • Q: I have sold my property, what should I do about paying the non-domestic rates?
  • A: You should advise the Director of Finance & IT, Renfrewshire Council, Cotton St Paisley PA1 1AD in writing of the date of sale, the name of the new owner and your new contact address. The annual charge will be recalculated to reflect the date of sale and a new bill will be issued (or, if appropriate, a refund of any rates you've paid in advance will be given).
  • Q: How do you arrive at my rateable value?
  • A: The Assessor of the Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board has a statutory obligation to collect information from owners and occupiers relating to property values, such as building costs, sale prices, rents and so on. This information is analysed by his professional staff, and they set the rateable values based on this information.
  • Q: How can I pay my non-domestic rates bill?
  • A: There are a variety of ways in which you can pay your bill.  See our "Business rates - annual notification" webpage for full details.
  • Q: How can I apply for an exemption or discount on my Non-Domestic Rates?
  • A: For information on business rate reductions, please see our "Business rates - reductions" webpage. To make an application, contact:

    Director of Finance and IT
    Renfrewshire Council
    Cotton Street,
    Paisley
    PA1 1AD

    Telephone: 0141 842 5211
    Fax : 0141 842 5353
    E-mail: ndr.finit@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Publications Directory

PDF logo Non domestic Business Rates 08 - 09 (PDF 567.4kb)