Business rates (Updated 14.01.2025)

In 2023 the thresholds for holiday lets being eligible for business rates changed in England, Wales and Scotland. Here is some information around the current thresholds, how to register and the financial benefits of doing so.

If you wish to register or remain registered for business rates rather than council tax, the minimum number of days your property needs to be let/available are:

These thresholds are designed to show that the property is operating as a self-catering business. Bear in mind that bookings from family or friends that aren’t let at a commercial rate won’t count towards the totals. On the Owner Portal you can see how many days you have let your property with us.

Self-catering properties on business rates are often eligible for small business rates relief (which depending on the value of the property may mean you pay no business rates). You can contact your council to see whether your property is eligible. 

Additionally, continuing from Covid days is the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief scheme which applies to self-catering accommodation. It has been extended to 2024-5 for certain parts of the UK:
-    Scotland 100% relief on the Islands, and specified remote areas, no relief elsewhere;
-    40% in Wales;
-    75% England;
-    No relief in NI.

In 2025-6 it will be: 
- Scotland - 100% relief on the Islands and specified remote areas and 40% for properties with rateable value up to £51,000 elsewhere, capped at £110,000 per business. 
- Wales - 40%, capped at £110,000. 
- England - 40%. 
- No relief in NI. 

Finally, there are now council tax premiums for second homes in many parts of Wales, have been introduced by nearly all Scottish councils from 1 April 2024 are being  introduced by some English councils  from 1 April 2025. Therefore it might be beneficial to meet the business thresholds.

These are a few of the top actions you can take to secure bookings:

• Open up as much of your calendar as possible to bookings – the more dates you have available, the more opportunity to secure a booking;
• Review your prices and allow our pricing team to flex your prices;
• If you don’t already, think about allowing pets at your property;
• If you don’t already, think about offering short break bookings.

If you need support to help you reach the target, please contact our colleagues in our market pricing team on 01244 345700, option 3 and option 4 and we will help you acquire as many bookings as possible.

If your property is already on business rates:

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) aims to check each self-catering property on business rates every two years. If the VOA sends you a form you must return it within 56 days or they will move your property onto council tax which could cost you more. The VOA then might ask for evidence of the days you have let the property. This can be taken from the Owner Portal for bookings through us but you may also have other bookings you would need to evidence.

If the property no longer meets the applicable threshold above, you'll need to tell the VOA who will put the property onto council tax from the date the threshold was no longer met. If the property meets them again in the future, you can tell the VOA again and they will put the property back onto business rates.

If your property is on council tax but you meet the days threshold above:

You should ask for the property to be assessed for business rates as follows:

• If the property is in England you can complete this form and email it.
• If the property is in Wales it’s this form.
• If the property is in Scotland contact your local assessor.
• If the property is in Northern Ireland contact the Rates and Valuation Helpline on 0300 200 7801.

More information:

You can find more information, including about small business rates relief on our page here.