Business Rates Council Tax

[Helen3885]

Hi All 

I live in Poole and am part of BCP Council location. I have been hosting for a year nearly and think I might be eligible to move to business rates council tax and apply for small business rates relief. But as I have started looking into it it is a minefield and I have no idea what I am doing !!! Wondering if anyone else has been down this route and can give me some advice please ? 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Helen3885 we did this but during covid and I suspect we didn't follow the correct process!

There is always confusion between the local council who administer charges and the Valuations Office Agency (VOA) who determine what band or type of rates you pay.

I would call the VOA and ask them how to do it.

One warning: Once on business rates, if the council is efficient, they will stop collecting your bin and you will need to arrange a private collection. Also keep detailed records of prices charged by Airbnb per night, net revenue to you and number of nights booked as you will get a yearly questionnaire that cannot be filled in from Airbnb data alone.

[Helen3]

Yes contact the business rates team at your local council and you meet the criteria for the minimum nûmber of nights you can apply to get business rates.

As @Mike-And-Jane0 says you will need to arrange a commercial waste collection . 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Helen3 or not if the council forget to tell the bin men...........

[Emilie]

Thank you Mike and Helen for the advice!

@Helen3885 Have you tried to reach out to the local council or the VOA yet for more specific guidance?