2023/24 Business rates explained

Changes in rates

Why some Business Rates Bills have increased in 2023

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) have updated the rateable values (RV) of all non-domestic properties in England and Wales that will take effect from 1 April 2023.

Due to the way in which rates are calculated, an increase in the rateable value of your property typically results in an increase to your bill. For further information, visit Business rates revaluation on GOV.UK.

Assistance being provided to businesses that have seen an increase in their rateable value following the 2023 revaluation

Transitional relief will limit how much your rates will increase each year following the 2023 revaluation. If eligible, the Council will adjust your bill automatically which means changes to your rates are phased in gradually.

For further information, visit Business rates relief: transitional relief on GOV.UK.

Small Businesses

Businesses no longer entitled to Small Business Rates Relief following the 2023 revaluation

Supporting Small Business Relief will assist businesses who are no longer entitled to some or all of their Small Business Rates Relief.

The relief will be automatically applied to eligible businesses and will mean that your rates bill will go up by no more than £600 for the 2023/24 financial year. For further information, visit Business rates relief: Supporting small business relief on GOV.UK.

Some business will only receive Supporting Small Business Relief for 12 months

Businesses that received Transitional Relief following the 2017 revaluation have received 6 years of support to allow them to adjust.

Any business that received 2017 Supporting Small Business Relief in 2022/23, eligibility for the 2023/24 Supporting Small Business Relief will end on 31 March 2024.

For further information, visit Business rates relief: 2023 Supporting small business relief, local authority guidance on GOV.UK.

Retail, Hospitality or Leisure Businesses

Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief provides eligible and occupied properties with 75% relief. A Cash cap of £110,000 per business is in place across all of their properties in England.

For further information and eligibility criteria, visit Business rates relief: 2023/24 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Scheme, local authority guidance on GOV.UK.

Help and support available to businesses

Many businesses are unaware of the extensive range of support services, initiatives and funding opportunities available to them.

Trafford Council is committed to helping businesses in Trafford to grow and prosper. We work closely with business support agencies across Trafford and beyond to give you easy access to any support or information you may require.

Trafford Council works with and supports a wide selection of partner organisations, who offer this range of business support services.

Self-Catering/Holiday Lets

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has changed how they assess self-catering/holiday lets for business rate purposes. If the property does not meet the VOA’s new criteria, it will remain in the Council Tax List until the criteria are met. For further information visit Changes to business rates rules for self-catering properties on GOV.UK.