Non-domestic rating of stables and Secretary of State

[DaveNC]

Like many people who have stables at home I suddenly received a bill for non-domestic rates which have been backdated for five years. With support from my MP I have been through the appeals process and unfortunately through a technicality failed to win the appeal. However under the Localism Bill this government agreed to waive backpayment for non-domestic rates in circumstances where the owner was unaware that rates were applicable. My council refused to apply this.

Through my MP the issue of the rating of such facilities and the implementation of backdated payment has now been referred to The Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for his consideration. This has been a purposeful process that has taken some 12 months to achieve.

For those facing the issue of non-domestic rates on stables it would seem the right moment for them to raise this with their MP's or directly with the Secretary of State to outline that that this is not an isolated case but a systematic targeting of those who care for horses at home.

 

[Wagtail]

I don't understand. I thought non domestic rates did not apply unless you were running a business? They do, however apply if you have any of your stables let out to others, even if you do not receive payment (which I think is unfair). Do any of these things apply to you, or are you saying that you are having to pay rates on private stables used only by yourself?

 

[DaveNC]

Councils are now assessing any stables that they identify are not within the curtlege of the garden - though there is no legal defintion of "Curtlege" - for liability to pay non-domestic rates. The issue of business use is a separate issue and the council agree this is not an issue in my case as it is a personal and private part of our own property. The council admitted at court that they are progressively identifying any houses with stables with a view to imposing non-domestic rates

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

If they carry on this (which is inherently unfair for stables which are purely used privately and domestically) they will find a lot of owners who have been careful to follow the rules re: no liveries will think sod this and get liveries in (whatever the planning situation) to pay the rates bill.

I think if stables are used only by the family, arent more than 4 stables and are on the same property ie land title as the house, that's domestic.

Chancers grrrr :-(((