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Business Rates - Rural Rate Relief

The Business Rate Rural Rate Relief scheme was introduced to help protect the last retail outlets and similar services in rural settlements with a population of less than 3,000.

To qualify for Business Rates Rural Rate Relief

Under the Business Rates Rural Rate Relief scheme, the following businesses in designated rural settlements are entitled to 100% mandatory rate relief if they occupy a property that is:

  • The only food shop, general store or post office with a rateable value of less than £8,500
  • The only public house or petrol station with a rateable value of up to £12,500.

The following areas which lie within the boundaries of Basildon Borough are designated rural settlements with a population of less than 3,000:

  • Little Burstead
  • Ramsden Bellhouse
  • Ramsden Crays.

To apply for Business Rate Rural Rate Relief

To apply for Business Rate Rural Rate Relief please complete and return the following application form by post or as an email attachment:

You should return your completed application form:

Guidance for applicants

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.

The relief will normally be awarded each year whilst the qualifying criteria are met.

Please note, you are not entitled to withhold payment of rates pending the determination of any application made.

Following possible changes in legislation, the information on this page is subject to change.