Non Domestic Rates
Business Rates in Poole
Business Rates are just one of five elements that help make up the Council’s budget to deliver local services each year.
Poole has approximately 4,000 commercial businesses and collects in the region of £40 million each year. This is paid into a central pool which is controlled by the Government and is redistributed to all Local Authorities in the UK based on the number of residents in each area.
For further information on business rates www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk 
is a Government-funded site designed to provide businesses with a single source of clear and concise information on business rates and is aimed at the smaller, independent ratepayer.
See the Valuation Office Agency website for further information information including:
- Checking Rateable Values
- Appeals
- Fact sheets
- Frequently asked questions
- Next Revaluation effective 1 April 2010
Liability for Payment
The Occupier of the property will normally be responsible for paying Business Rates if:
- some benefit is gained from the use of the property - not necessarily a financial benefit
- the ‘liable’ occupier has a specific use for the property not shared by others in the same property
- the property is actually being used
- the property exists for a reasonable length of time, e.g. a porta-cabin which is removed each night would not be liable
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