Business rates relief

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Charitable rate relief

You could get charitable rate relief if your property is mainly used for charitable purposes.

To be eligible, the property must be used by either:

  • a charity, or the trustees of a charity

  • a community amateur sports club (CASC)

You cannot get charitable rate relief and small business rate relief at the same time. Your local council will decide which type of relief you’re eligible for.

If the property is used by a charity or its trustees

Your local authority may ask for proof that your property is being used for charitable purposes - for example, your charity registration number or proof of charitable status.

Find out more about setting up or registering a charity.

If the property is used by a community amateur sports club

To be eligible, your organisation must be registered with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as a community amateur sports club.

Find out more about registering as a community amateur sports club.

What you’ll get

Charitable rate relief gives you up to 80% off your business rates bill.

Your local council may also be able to top up the discount so that you do not have to pay business rates. This is called ‘discretionary relief’.

How to get charitable rate relief

Local councils manage business rates relief in their area.

Contact your local council to:

  • check if you’re eligible

  • find out how to get charitable rate relief

  • find out if the council can top up the discount with discretionary relief so that you do not have to pay business rates

  • check if you can get any other types of business rates relief on top of charitable rate relief

If your circumstances change

Report changes to make sure you’re paying the right amount and do not get a backdated increase in your bill or overpay.

Contact your local council if:

  • your property becomes empty

  • you get another property

  • you make any changes to your property that would increase its value - for example, extending or renovating it
  • the nature of your business changes or it moves to different premises

If the amount of charitable rate relief you’re eligible for changes, you’ll usually need to pay your new rate starting from the day your circumstances changed.

Check which changes in circumstance you need to report to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

If you think you should be getting charitable rate relief but are not

Contact your local council if you’re not getting charitable rate relief and you think you’re eligible for it.

If you’re not eligible for charitable rate relief

You may still be able to get discretionary relief if you’re a non-profit or voluntary organisation. Contact your local council to find out.

You may also be eligible for another type of business rate relief. For example, if:

Check what other reliefs you may be eligible for.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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