Discretionary business rates relief

The council has discretion to award additional relief to charities and non-profit making organisations.

Charities or non-profit making organisations may also apply to the council for discretionary relief.

To claim this reduction you will need to download and complete a discretionary relief application form. You can also obtain a form from our customer service points or by telephoning 020 7525 5505.

It is important that you provide all of the supporting information and evidence with your application and the guidance notes below will help.

Discretionary relief

Discretionary relief can reduce your bills by up to 100% of the charge. This could be either

• a 'top-up' of up to 20% for organisations that have already been awarded the 80% per cent charity relief, or
• varying relief for non-profit making organisations

To qualify for this type of relief your organisation must meet one of the following criteria

• it must be a charity or not for profit organisation
• its main objectives are charitable, philanthropic or religious, or are concerned with education, social welfare, science, literature or the fine arts

We will then consider your claim against our criteria. 

Generally, discretionary relief will be awarded for the whole of the financial year (April to March) unless your organisation is not liable for the whole period, or does not fulfil the criteria for the whole period.

If you are awarded the relief we will periodically send a review form to confirm whether the organisation's circumstances have remained the same.

It is essential that you report any changes of circumstances as they occur and not wait for the review form.

Guidance notes

If you wish to apply for mandatory and/or discretionary relief you should

• check that your organisation fulfils the criteria
• fully complete the application form
• ensure that the form is signed

Please return the form and the supporting evidence to the address on the form.

An application will only be considered when you have fully completed the application form and provided supporting evidence.

What to do while waiting for a decision

If you have applied for a reduction you should continue to pay in line with your current bill. If it is then awarded, you will then be issued with a further bill and new payment instructions. This will take account of any payments you have already made.

When we have made a decision

When we have received your completed application form we will issue you with a letter of acknowledgement and verify the information provided. We may also arrange for one of our inspectors to visit the property. It may take up to eight weeks to make a decision on your application. Once a decision has been made we will write to you to confirm this.