The local property tax you pay depends on your property type.
Business properties are covered by business rates. (These are sometimes referred to as non-domestic rates). Domestic properties are covered by Council Tax.
Some properties are partly for business and partly for domestic use. This means you may have to pay both business rates and council tax. As an example, a pub or a shop where the publican or shop owner lives on the premises or in a flat above the business.
Running a home-based business
Generally, you should not have to pay business rates if you are using your home for minor business purposes.
Find out if you should be paying business ratesContact us if you’re still not sure if you should be paying business rates.
My property is now being used as a holiday let
The rules about how holiday lets and self-catering accommodation are valued for business rates have changed. From 1 April 2023 holiday lets and self-catering accommodation are valued for business rates if:
- in the last 12 months the property has been available to let commercially for short periods for at least 140 nights; and
- the property will be available to let commercially for short periods of at least 140 nights in the next 12 months; and
- in the last 12 months the property has actually been let commercially as self-catering accommodation for short periods of 70 nights or more
All new self-catering accommodation will initially need to be charged council tax for at least 140 days. Self-catering accommodation can only be assessed for business rates once all of the above criteria are met.
The Valuation Office Agency will decide whether your holiday let should be listed for business rates or council tax. This decision is not made by Cornwall Council. If you meet the above criteria, you can ask the Valuation Office Agency to move your holiday let from Council Tax to Business Rates by completing a Self-catering holiday homes form of return.
