Ratepayers to start receiving bills for 2026/27 from next week
Date published:
Rate bills for 2026/27 will begin to issue from 1 April 2026 and will continue to be delivered throughout the month.
Money raised through rate collection helps pay for essential public services, including health, education and infrastructure, as well as council services such as waste collection, leisure centres, local economic projects and tourism.
In addition to the amount and date the payment is due, ratepayers can expect to see the following included on their rate bill;
- the calculation of your rates for the year
- details of any rate relief awarded
- any arrears carried forward
You can view your rate bill online from 1 April with a Rates Online account. The online service provides quick access to your bill, secure payment options, and an easy way to update your details or check any reliefs applied. You can also use Rates Online to tell LPS if any of your details are incorrect.
A wide range of application-based rate relief schemes are available, including Rate Rebate for those in receipt of Universal Credit and a discount for pensioners aged over 70 who live on their own. Find out more at: Help paying your rates
Businesses may also be able to access a range of rate support schemes. More details can be found on the nibusinessinfo website.
Domestic ratepayers can receive a 4% discount by paying their 2026/27 bill in full on or before Friday 8 May. The easiest way to pay and secure the discount is to sign in to Rates Online and make a card payment.
If you prefer to pay by monthly instalments, the best way to do this is by Direct Debit. Visit How you can pay your rate bill on nidirect to find out how and for full details on all other payment methods.
If you are unable to pay your bill, please contact LPS as soon as possible. LPS can provide information on the range of support available and alternative payment options that may suit your circumstances better. More details can be found on What happens if you can't pay your rates
Notes to editors:
1. There are approximately 860,000 rateable domestic properties and around 75,000 non-domestic properties in Northern Ireland.
2. The average household rate bill in Northern Ireland in 2025-26 was £1,239. Comparisons with average Council Tax bills in England, Scotland and Wales are not straightforward because the two systems are very different. However, most households here pay less in rates in terms of average per dwelling than equivalent households in other parts of the UK pay in Council Tax.
3. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Finance Press Office on Tel: 028 9081 6724 or email dof.pressoffice@finance-ni.gov.uk.
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
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