The Government has announced that letting and estate agents in England that are closed due to COVID-19 measures will be eligible for the business rates retail discount, which is increased to 100 per cent for 2020–2021
Over the past ten days, Propertymark asked agents to contact their MPs, to demand the inclusion of property agents' offices in COVID-19 business rates relief. Propertymark is pleased to report the effectiveness of this campaign with letting and estate agents now included in the expanded retail discount.
Guidance for local authorities on the implementation of the discount was published on 25 March, setting out the eligibility criteria, covering 2020-2021 and specifically addresses the COVID-19 crisis.
The guidance confirms that eligible businesses will be rebilled by their local authority and the new bill will give them a discount of 100 per cent. If businesses have made payments in the meantime, they will be refunded by their local authority.
It is important to note that agents must receive an updated bill, acknowledging the discount. Businesses that do not receive an updated bill should contact their Local Authority. It is not sufficient to ignore an existing invoice.
If any business has a query regarding their bill, they should get in touch with their local authority.
Agents can find their local authority on the gov.uk website and can estimate the business rate charge no longer payable this year using the business rates calculator.
