How the rate is calculated

Apart from properties that are exempt from business rates, each non-domestic property has a rateable value that is normally set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

The rateable value represents the yearly rent the property could have been let for on the open market on a particular date. For the revaluation that came into effect on 1st April 2017, this date was set as 1st April 2015. For the new revaluation which comes into effect on 1st April 2023, the date used is 1st April 2021.

Burnley Council works out your business rates bill by multiplying the rateable value of the property by the appropriate multiplier. There are two multipliers: the standard non-domestic rating multiplier which is 51.2p, and the small business non-domestic rating multiplier which is 49.9p. The former is higher to pay for small business rate relief.

Each year the Government sets the multipliers for each financial year for the whole of England according to formulae set by legislation. The current multipliers are always shown on the front of your bill.

1 April – 31 MarchStandardSmall Business 
2023 – 202451.2p49.9p
2022 – 202351.2p49.9p
2021 – 202251.2p49.9p
2020 – 202151.2p49.9p
2019 – 202050.4p49.1p
2018 – 201949.3p48.0p
2017 – 201847.9p46.6p
2016 – 201749.7p48.4p
2015 – 201649.3p48.0p
2014 – 201548.2p47.1p
2013 – 201447.1p46.2p
2012 – 201345.8p45.0p