Registered charity rate relief
Charity rate relief is available where registered charities are making substantial use of a property for the purposes set out in their charitable objects.
If you are a registered charity, you must apply for charity relief rather than small business relief. If your charity isn't registered, see not for profit organisation rate relief.
It's important to understand the potential risks for both the charity and its trustees if you're thinking about committing to a tenancy agreement expecting to get rates relief. The Charity Commission gives useful advice about the risks of entering into a tenancy agreement and applying for rate relief.
How much rate relief registered charities can get
There are some mandatory discounts and some discretionary ones. All registered charities can get the mandatory discount if we agree they are making substantial use of the property for the purposes set out in their charitable objects. Some types of charity can also ask for an extra discretionary discount. This isn't guaranteed.
Discounts for registered charities
Categories for charitable rate relief
| Type of charity | Mandatory discount | Maximum discretionary discount | Rate relief category |
|---|
| Village halls, community centres, meeting rooms |
80% |
20% |
1 |
| Youth organisations |
80% |
20% |
2 |
| Voluntary schools - aided and Special Agreement |
80% |
- |
3 |
| Schools / colleges including foundation schools |
80% |
- |
4 |
| Nursery schools |
80% |
20% |
5 |
| Charity shops - local charity within Cheshire and with own accounts |
80% |
20% |
6 |
| Charity shops - national charity |
80% |
- |
7 |
| Drop in / advice centres with open access to public |
80% |
20% |
8 |
| Local charity admin office - within Cheshire and with own accounts |
80% |
20% |
9 |
| National charity admin offices |
80% |
- |
10 |
| Sports, social clubs and leisure centre with a bar and where the rateable value is above the Small Business Rate Relief threshold |
80% |
- |
11 |
| Sports, social clubs and leisure centre with a bar and where the rateable value is below the Small Business Rate Relief threshold |
80% |
5% |
12 |
| Sports, social clubs and leisure centre without a bar and where the rateable value is above the Small Business Rate Relief threshold |
80% |
- |
13 |
| Sports, social clubs and leisure centre without a bar and where the rateable value is below the Small Business Rate Relief threshold |
80% |
20% |
14 |
| Museums / historical houses / heritage centres - free admission |
80% |
20% |
18 |
| Museums / historical houses / heritage centres - admission charged |
80% |
10% |
19 |
| Other local charities - within Cheshire and with own accounts |
80% |
20% |
20 |
| Other national charities |
80% |
- |
21 |
| Social housing organisation premises (Registered Friendly Societies) |
80% |
- |
22 |
How to apply for registered charity rate relief
You can apply for registered charity rate relief by filling in our online form.
Apply for Business Rates relief
You must keep paying the rates shown on your bill while you wait to hear from us, unless we've agreed you don't have to.
Backdating charity rate relief
The rules about backdating depend on whether the relief is mandatory or discretionary.
Mandatory relief
You can backdate mandatory relief claims for the last 6 years.
Discretionary relief
Discretionary relief is granted from the beginning of the financial year in which the application is made, or if the application is within 6 months from the end of the financial year. The council will also consider a further backdate if appropriate to 1 April 2023, where the Valuation Office Agency enters a new property into the rating list that may qualify for discretionary relief.
What happens next
We'll normally visit the property to make sure it's being used to support the charity's objects. We'll also check that the use is substantial - we can't give the discount if it isn't. If you're applying for any discretionary relief, we'll consider what we can give.
When we give discretionary relief, we are spending Council Tax payers' money, so we need to be sure that giving the relief will benefit the community. We follow guidelines set down by councillors.
Once we've made our decision, we'll either send you a new bill or let you know why you can't get a discount.
We try to make decisions within 4 weeks of getting all the information, but it might take longer.
If you think we've made a mistake about a mandatory relief or you want to challenge a decision about a discretionary relief, you can appeal.
Changes in circumstances for charity rate relief
You must tell us about any changes that mean the property no longer counts for charity rate relief.
We do sometimes review reliefs. If you haven't told us about a change that means your property no longer counts, you'll have to pay the backdated business rates within 14 days.
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Contact Business Rates
Revenues Service - Cheshire East Council Contact us about Business Rates enquiry form
Customer Service Business Rates Team available for telephone enquiries:
Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 13:00
0300 123 5013
Revenues Service
Cheshire East Council
PO Box 622
Crewe
Cheshire
CW1 9JH
Page last reviewed: 04 September 2024
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