One week left to claim backdated rate relief

Published: 24 September, 2010

Small businesses which face losing out on at least £200 million in backdated rate relief are being thrown a lifeline in the form of a free online claims system.

Unless they lodge claims by September 30, businesses occupying commercial premises between April 1 2007 and April 2010 could miss out on backdated small business rate relief (SBRR), which, according to figures from property specialist Leaseholders United, is worth at least £200 million.

Leaseholders United's Andrew Bacon, who is property adviser to lobby group the Forum of Private Business, said the problem is being made worse by many local councils failing to provide details of the relief.

"Claiming backdated SBRR before September 30 could mean that a small business paying £5000 a year in rent gets a cheque back from the council that is enough to cover its overheads until March 2011, just for filling in a form," Bacon said.

"Unfortunately, most councils are saying nothing about the issue and many are handing out businesses forms that actually stop them backdating their claim. This is something we first highlighted back in 2008 and, despite assurances that it would be tackled, the problem persists," he added.

Business owners can download a claim form for free at www.sbrr.co.uk.

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