Our use of cookies

We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We’d also like to set analytics cookies to help us understand how our site is used.

For more information about the cookies we use, see our cookies page.


Cookie settings

To change cookie settings at anytime, see our cookie settings page.


Necessary cookies

We need to use some cookies to provide essential functionality, such as, security and accessibility. These are called necessary cookies. You can disable them by changing your browser preferences, but our site might not function correctly without them.

Skip to main content

Rural rate relief

If your business is in a rural village with a small population of no more than 3000, you may qualify for mandatory Rural Rate relief of 100%.

Under the scheme, the following businesses in designated rural settlements are entitled to 100% mandatory rate relief:

  • The only general store or post office in the village, and has a rateable value up to £8,500
  • A food shop with a rateable value up to £8,500
  • The only pub or petrol station in the village, and has a rateable value up to £12,500

It is possible for both a general store and a post office in the same rural area to qualify for mandatory rate relief, if they both meet the conditions.

To qualify for mandatory relief, a general store must mainly sell both food and general household goods. Only part of the property need be used as a general store. For example, the business of a general store and another business could be carried on side-by-side in one premises. If there are two general stores in the same rural area, neither will qualify for mandatory relief, although, if either functions as a post office, relief for this can be claimed separately.

Our discretionary rate relief policy allows the council to give discretionary relief of up to 100% for a property in a rural area if it does not meet the mandatory criteria, however, we are satisfied that:

  • The property is used for purposes which are of benefit to the local community and
  • It would be reasonable for the council to award relief, having regard to the interest of the Council Tax payers in the district

You can check if your property falls into a rural settlement area.

Apply for rural rate relief