Later this week, home owners and businesses in Northern Ireland will receive their rate bill for 2017/18.
The rate bill, which will be issued by Land & Property Services (LPS), outlines the amount due for the billing period 2017/18 and includes any unpaid arrears from previous years, together with any rate relief where applicable.
The easiest and most convenient way to pay is by Direct Debit and now you can set up a direct debit online at www.nidirect.gov.uk/rates-online. Currently 58% of bills are paid by direct debit allowing ratepayers to spread the cost of their bill over the full 10 month Direct Debit cycle. There is a choice of three collection dates available for Direct Debit – 7th, 15th or 28th of each month.
As in previous years, there are a number of other ways to pay, including online via the nidirect website, at any Post Office or PayPoint outlet using the ‘Rates Quick Pay Card,’ by phone or in person at an LPS Customer Information Centre.
For domestic ratepayers, there is a 4% discount if they pay their bill in full on or before the discount date of 16th June 2017.
The District Rate Subsidy Scheme continues to apply to domestic and non-domestic ratepayers whose rates increased significantly with the merger of some councils in April 2015. If a ratepayer is eligible for the subsidy, the reduction will automatically be applied and shown on your bill. Small Business Rate Relief has also been continued for the 2017/18 year and will automatically be applied to rate accounts.
If there is any information on your bill which you think is incorrect, if your circumstances have changed or you are having trouble paying your rates, if you are not the ratepayer or if you have not received a bill, please contact LPS immediately on 0300 200 7801.
Notes to editors:
- Further information and guidance on rates and the online payment facility is available on the nidirect website or for non-domestic customers, on the nibusinessinfo website. Alternatively, ratepayers can speak to LPS staff in person by visiting one of the LPS Customer Information Centres in Belfast, Ballymena, Omagh, Craigavon and Londonderry.
- As of 31st March 2017, there were 867,351 rateable properties across the 11 Council areas. The amount of rates collected for the financial year 2015/16 was approximately £1.215 billion. This money is invested in public services such as healthcare, education and roads as well as helping to fund numerous Council services, including recreational facilities, building control, bin collection, tourism and local events.
- Land & Property Services (LPS) is part of the Department of Finance.
- Follow us on twitter @dptfinance and like the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dptfinance
- Media enquiries to DoF Communications Office on 028 9081 6724 or 028 9081 6725. or email dof.pressoffice@finance-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.