Business rates privacy notice

Why we collect data

Purposes

The purposes for which your data will be used are:

  • ensuring that you are charged the correct amount of non-domestic rates
  • ensuring that you receive any reductions that you are entitled to
  • determining any appeals received against non-domestic rates liabilities including attendance at tribunals as necessary
  • liaising with the Valuation Office Agency, as necessary, to enable them to maintain the rating list
  • issuing accurate and timely non-domestic rate bills
  • collecting, receiving and receipting payments made
  • taking appropriate action when payment are not made on time, including the issue of recovery documents and notices and referring cases to courts as deemed necessary
  • appointing and engaging agents and specialists in the enforcement of unpaid non-domestic rates
  • preventing and detecting fraud and error within the non-domestic rates, Council Tax system and/or benefit system

We are able to do this because legislation says we must do it and the processing is necessary for compliance with legal obligations.

Regulations

There are very many different regulations covering the administration Non-Domestic Rates. The main rules are contained in the following statutes and subsequent amendments to them:

  • Local Government Finance Act 1988
  • Local Government and Housing Act 1989
  • The Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement)(Local Lists) Regulations 1989
  • The Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property) Regulations 1989
  • Local Government Finance Act 1992
  • Local Government Finance and Rating Act 1997
  • Local Government Act 2003
  • Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007
  • Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property) (England) Regulations 2008
  • The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
  • The Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014
  • The Taking Control of Goods (Certification) Regulations 2014

This list is not exhaustive.

We are required by law to hold and use some of your information for:

  • the administration, recovery and enforcement of non-domestic rates
  • preventing and detecting fraud and error within the non-domestic rates system schemes or other areas

Sharing information

We may share your information with:

  • other agencies directly involved in administration, recovery and enforcement of non-domestic rates (this would typically be the Valuation Office Agency, and agents or specialists acting for us in fulfilling our statutory duty)
  • other councils or organisations as part of the national fraud initiative

Otherwise, we will only share your data if you ask us to, or if it is in the public interest to do so and the law requires or allows us to. Examples of where we may share your data are:

  • notifying emergency services of properties that become unoccupied and therefore at risk of fire or criminal damage
  • notifying relevant Council officers of properties becoming unoccupied, in order that they may assist the owner to bring it back into use
  • providing appropriate authorities with details of the person responsible for a property that has been considered to be unsafe

As far as possible, we will apply the same principles to a company or organisation’s data as we would to an individual. However, legislation (particularly the Freedom of Information Act 2000) requires us to disclose information which we hold. In particular, we are regularly required to disclose the following information in respect of all businesses on our rating records:

  • property info (such as address, property reference, rateable value etc)
  • name of liable party
  • amounts of rates payable
  • any reliefs awarded
  • whether the property is occupied or vacant
  • any accounts which have been overpaid

This information is made available on our website. Personal data about ratepayers who are individuals is redacted.