Business rates | Westmorland and Furness Council

Business rates explained

How business rates work, including multipliers, rateable values, and reliefs.

Important changes from 1 April 2026

Important changes to rateable value, relief schemes, and disputing your business rates valuation.

Register for business rates

Let us know that you or your business is now liable for business rates.

Types of business rate reliefs and exemptions

There are various business rate reliefs based on the type of business you run.

Appeal a business rate decision

You can challenge business rates relief decisions, but you must not withhold payment of your business rates pending your appeal.

If you fail to pay your business rates

If you fail to pay your business rates you will face recovery action which may result in court action and costs will be added.

Pay Business Improvement District (BID) levy

We collect the Business Improvement District (BID) levy on behalf of Barrow BID, Kendal BID, Penrith BID, Penrith industrial estates BID and Ulverston BID.

Paying business rates

Contact the Business Rates Team

If you are unable to find the answer to your query online, you can contact the team in your local area.

Changes in business rates eligibility for holiday lets

On 1 April 2023, the Valuation Office (VO) changed the rules of eligibility for self-catering properties and holiday lets.