SBRR came into effect on 1st April 2005.

Qualification
SBRR is available to properties with a Rateable Value (RV) under £10,000. Qualifying properties also pay a lower rate in the pound. Qualifying properties with an RV between £10,000 and £14,999 don't get SBRR but do benefit from the lower rate in the pound.

In general terms, it must be the only property occupied by the ratepayer in England. However ratepayers will still qualify for relief if they occupy other properties, providing the RV of each of the other properties is below £2,200 and the total RV of all the properties is below £15,000. They will only get relief on the main property. The others will be charged at the higher multiplier.

Relief
If a qualifying property has an RV of less than £5,000 on 1st April it will receive 50% relief. A taper will then apply so that properties receive less relief on rateable values from £5,000 up to an RV of £9,999. No relief will be given on an RV of £10,000 or above, although they will pay the lower multiplier if the RV is below £15,000 and they meet the conditions.

Non-qualifying properties pay a higher rate in the pound (multiplier). For 2007/2008 the lower multiplier is 44.1p and the higher multiplier is 44.4p.

There will be a 'buffer zone' where qualifying properties with an RV between £10,000 and £14,999 will not qualify for SBRR but will pay the lower multiplier.

Applications
Applications can be made by post. The application form can be found below.

It is a criminal offence to make a false statement for the purpose of claiming relief. It is punishable by 3 months imprisonment, a scale 3 fine, or both.

Applications must be signed by the ratepayer (or partner of a partnership, director of a limited company, trustee of a trust or, in any other case, a person duly authorised).

 Application form (32kb) for Small Business Rate Relief 2007/2008