Landlords Rates allowance deadline fast approaching

Time is running out for landlords who want to benefit from an available allowance on their rate bills.

Land & Property Services (LPS) is reminding landlords that their bills should be paid in full by Friday 28 September 2018 in order to receive a reduction on their bill. If you are responsible for paying the rates on one or more rental properties occupied by tenants, you may be entitled to 10% discount on your rate bill.

The discount is only awarded when eligible landlords pay in full by 28 September. This allowance does not include their residential address, second homes or personal holiday homes.  For properties where the tenant pays rates, the landlord can sign up to a formal agreement with the Department of Finance.

If you usually pay by cheque there are easier and more convenient ways of paying. You can pay online at www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/pay-your-rates-online or by phone on 0300 200 7801 and chose option 1. Both options are available 24/7. Landlords are advised to allow a minimum of five working days for any payment to reach LPS or be made via the Post Office. If LPS does not receive full payment by Friday 28 September 2018 the allowance will not be awarded.

For more information on the different types of landlord accounts, visit www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/rates-rental-properties or www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/rates-rental-properties or alternatively contact the LPS helpline 0300 200 7801.

Notes to editors: 

1. Landlords awarded an Article 20 or 21 are eligible for the landlord discount. Liability for rates on a rental property is determined by the Capital Value for Domestic Properties or Net Annual Value for Non-Domestic Properties. Article 20 accounts – From 1^st April 2015, where a rented domestic property has an assessed capital value of £150,000 or less it is the landlord that is liable for the rates. For properties with a higher value (above £150,000) the tenant will be liable for rates unless the landlord has signed up to a formal agreement with the Department to pay rates on the property, in which case Article 21 applies.
2. More detailed information about landlord status can be found at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/rates-rental-properties or at www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/rates-rental-properties
3. LPS continues to actively pursue landlords with rates arrears. LPS is willing to assist any landlord in financial difficulty by agreeing mutually acceptable payment arrangements that could allow a discount to be awarded for current year rates. Landlords having difficulty paying their rate bill should contact LPS as soon as possible by telephoning 0300 200 7801. It may be possible to discuss alternative payment arrangements to avoid LPS taking legal debt recovery action.
4. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Finance Press Office on Tel: 028 9081 6724/028 9081 6895 or email dof.pressoffice@finance-ni.gov.uk. Out of Office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110. Follow us on Twitter @dptFinance

Share this page