Rates Information
What are Rates?
Rates are a property-based tax which raises the finance needed to provide your public services. Less than half of your rates are spent by the Council. More than half (52%) goes, not to the Council, but to Stormont where it is used to finance regional services.
Who sets the Rates?
There are two parts to the rates - a DISTRICT rate set by the Council and a REGIONAL rate set by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
What are the main services provided by Council?
- Waste Collection & Disposal
- Street Cleansing
- Parks & Sports Grounds
- Tourism, Arts & Leisure
- Economic Development
- Environmental Health
- Building Control
- Public Conveniences
What are the main regional services?
Education
Health
Personal Social Services
Housing
Roads
Planning
Water
Sewerage
Who can I contact for further information?
District Rate
Ballymoney Borough Council
Tel: (028) 2766 0200
Email: info@ballymoney.gov.uk
Capital Valuation
Land & Property Services (Valuation)
Government Offices
George Street
Ballymena
BT43 5AP
Tel: 028 2566 0700
Email: ballymena.valuation@lpsni.gov.uk
Regional Rate
Department of Finance & Personnel
Tel: (028) 9185 8094
Email@ ratingpolicy.cfg@dfpni.gov.uk
Non-Domestic Revaulation Explained 2010
Land & Property Services (LPS) is carrying out a revaluation of all non-domestic properties in Northern ireland. This will result in a new Valuation List which will come into effect in 2010.
As part of this revaluation LPS have already issued Forms of Return seeking information about ownership, lease arrangements, rental details, fit-out and so on. The information being requested is essential to ensure that the new assessments are accurate and fully reflect current market rental values.There is a statutory obligation on those who receive the Form of Return to respond by providing the information sought within 28 days. LPS are about to issue reminders to those who have not responded to date. Failure to respond could lead to court proceeedings and a fine of £1000.
What is a non-domestic revaluation?
As the name suggests, non domestic revaluation deals with all properties that are non domestic. Numerically the bulk of properties to be revaluated are shops, offices, factories and warehouses, but the total also includes property types such as:
- Pubs
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Utilities
- Playing Fields etc
A revaluation brings rateable values into line with current property values. Following the revaluation a new "Valuation List" will be published. This will come into force on 1st April 2010.
What information do I need to supply if I receive a Form of Return?
The type of information required includes:
- whether the property is owner occupied or if rented?
- the rent you pay
- the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement
What is the purpose of a revaluation?
Revaluation brings rateable values back into line with current property rental values. It is not designed to raise additional revenue but ot make sure that rates liability is fairly distributed across all properties in line with changes in rental values.
To illustrate this, we can think about a business located in an area that has undergone economic decline since the last revaluation. Such a business will now be paying proportionally too much in rates. In contrast, a business in an area that has benefitted from improved economic conditions may now be paying proportionally too little.
A system of regular revaluations helps make sure that large imbalances do not build up in the Valuation Llst as a result of changing market conditions.
What are rateable values?
Rateable values are used to work out your rates bill. The values are based on rental values and are fixed at the time of revaluation.
For business premises, the rateable value contained in the current Valuation List reflects the level of rents which applied on 1st April 2001.
Do higher values mean higher rates bills?
In general no. The revaluation in itself will not increase the total amount of rates payable in Northern Ireland. However individual ratepayers will be affected.
Higher rateable values should translate into proportionally lower rates in the pound. Looking at the last revaluation the overall increase in total value was around 25%. This resulted in a reduction of the average rate poundage from fifty pence to below forty pence.
Can I challenge the new valuation?
Yes there are three possible routes:
- Apply to the District Valuer for a review
- If dissatisfied - Appeal to the Commissioner of Valuation
- If still dissatisfied - Appeal to the Lands Tribunal for Northern Ireland
For more information visit our website www.lpsni.gov.uk
Will derating be affected by revaluation?
The percentage derating applied to certain industrial properties will be unaffected by the revaluation. From 1st April 2010 any rates which are paid on these premises will be based on the new valuations.
Will my property be inspected?
Most properties will not need a detailed inspection . Exceptions would be:
- if your property has changed since it was last inspected.
- if we need to add more detail to our records that may impact on the valuation figure.
- who assesses the new rateable value?
The new rateable values are assessed by professional valuers/chartered surveyors within Land & Property Services.