Business Growth Accelerator Relief
The Business Growth Accelerator Relief (also known as New and Improved Properties) may be available to ratepayers of new build property and to those expanding or making improvements to an existing property.
The legislation governing this is The Non-Domestic Rates (Relief for New and Improved Properties) (Scotland) Regulations 2022.
What does the new rates relief mean?
New Build Properties
If your premises are a new build, entered onto the Valuation Roll from 1 April 2018 onwards, you will pay no Rates until 12 months after the premises become occupied.
From 1 April 2022 the period where a property can claim Business Growth Accelerator has been capped at a maximum of four years. To allow for the transition, if the relief has been awarded prior to 1 April 2021, it will continue until 31 March 2025 if the property remains unoccupied, or for a period of 12 months if the premises should become occupied, whichever date is sooner.
Expanded or Improved Premises
Where premises are expanded or improved and the rateable value increases as a result of this, you will not pay this increase for 12 months.
From 2021-22 onwards, Business Growth Accelerator relief for property improvements will be available even where there is an increase in rateable value due in whole or in part to a change in the way the lands and heritages are being used. This means a property that was converted from one type of Non Domestic Rates use to another (such as office to hotel) may qualify for relief, subject to other eligibility criteria.
The rates for this period will be based on the rateable value prior to any such improvements being made.
Rateable Value
From 1 April 2023, properties in receipt of Business Growth Accelerator on 31 March 2023 will continue to be eligible for an equivalent percentage of relief on the new rateable value for the remaining duration of the relief.
Apply for Business Growth Accelerator Relief
You can apply online. If you need any assistance, contact our Customer Advice and Support Service.
How do I notify you of potential business rates fraud?
You can report this online. If you need any assistance, contact our Customer Advice and Support Service.