Rural rate relief

Part of: Business rates reductions and reliefs

You may get up to 100% off your business rates if your property is in a rural area and meets certain conditions.

Who can get this relief

To qualify for rural rate relief, your business property must:

  • Be in a rural settlement with a population under 3,000
  • Be one of the following:
    • The only general store, post office, or food shop (rateable value under £8,500)
    • The only public house or petrol station (rateable value under £12,500)

Additional local relief

We may also award discretionary rural rate relief to other occupied properties in rural areas if:

  • The property has a rateable value under £16,500
  • It is used in a way that benefits the local community

Each case is reviewed individually.

Eligible rural settlements

To qualify, the property must be in a designated rural settlement area.

In Trafford, this includes:

  • Warburton
  • Dunham Massey

If you're unsure whether your property is in a rural settlement, contact us.

Read more about rural rate relief on the GOV.UK website.

Apply for rural rate relief

Use our general business rates enquiry form.

In your message, clearly state that you're applying for rural rate relief and include:

  • Your business rates account number
  • The property address
  • The type of business you operate
  • Whether you're the only business of that type in the area
  • Any supporting documents

Apply for rural rate relief