Small Business Rates Relief

Bungle2113

Hi all, I wonder if you can help, I am changing direction of my business meaning my offices (that are owned) are no longer suitable.  I have now rented these out to another business while I am trying to find suitable new premises to rent for myself.  
I cannot afford to pay the government for the privilege of having somewhere to work so I've been looking for somewher preferably with a rateable value under £12k, which is proving difficult, or at least below £13,500 so on the sliding scale, I do not have to pay too much when taking into account SBRR.
However, talking to a commercial agent, they said they are not sure if I will be eligible for SBRR anyway as I own another property, even though I am not using it for my business. I can't find any info on government websites and trying to get hold of anyone in the local council that can help hasn't happened.
Can anyone tell me how it works, please?  
The property that my business owns but rents out has a rateable value of £10,250.00 if that makes any difference?
Thanks in adavnce. 

MyRealNameToo

Presumably you've made your tenant liable for the business rates in your contract with them?

lincroft1710

As I understand it, it is the property or properties that are connected to your business which is/are relevant. So if you are renting out the offices, this is somebody else's business and usually the tenant would be responsible for any rates due.


As an aside rates have been payable on commercial property since the 19th century (or possibly earlier) SBRR is an extremely recent innovation which could easily be removed.

Bungle2113

MyRealNameToo said:

Presumably you've made your tenant liable for the business rates in your contract with them?

Yes, that is correct 

Bungle2113

lincroft1710 said:

As I understand it, it is the property or properties that are connected to your business which is/are relevant. So if you are renting out the offices, this is somebody else's business and usually the tenant would be responsible for any rates due.


As an aside rates have been payable on commercial property since the 19th century (or possibly earlier) SBRR is an extremely recent innovation which could easily be removed.

So are you thinking this could be yet another thing that this Labour government will look to change? 

lincroft1710

Bungle2113 said:

lincroft1710 said:

As I understand it, it is the property or properties that are connected to your business which is/are relevant. So if you are renting out the offices, this is somebody else's business and usually the tenant would be responsible for any rates due.


As an aside rates have been payable on commercial property since the 19th century (or possibly earlier) SBRR is an extremely recent innovation which could easily be removed.

So are you thinking this could be yet another thing that this Labour government will look to change? 

No, just pointing out that you cannot rely on SBRR forever. Although the money collected by councils for business rates is now sent to central government, it is distributed back to local councils, central government deciding in what proportion.