Rate bills to go out this week

LAND and Property Services (LPS) will begin issuing rate bills to homes and businesses from Thursday (April 21), it has been announced.

For a second year, the NI Executive has frozen the element of the rate bill it is responsible for to help both households and businesses.

All businesses will be provided with a one month rates holiday (with some limited exceptions including utilities and larger food stores), while retail, hospitality, tourism, leisure, childcare, newspapers and airports will receive a three months rates holiday.

The rates holiday amount will be discounted and shown on the overall bill issuing.

Meanwhile, a wide range of rate reliefs and entitlements are available including support for those entitled to Universal Credit, for people on a low income and for pensioners who live on their own.

LPS is encouraging anyone having difficulty paying to contact them for advice on payment arrangements and the range of support available.

Full details can be found at www.nidirect.gov.uk/ratespayment.

Direct debit is the easiest and most convenient way to pay and allows ratepayers to spread the cost over monthly instalments. A direct debit can be set up online.

You can also pay online by debit or credit card, or in person at any Post Office or PayPoint.

Domestic ratepayers can receive a four per-cent discount if they pay their 2022/23 Rates in full on or before June 10 this year.

The bill will set out the amount due for 2022/23, details of any rate relief which has been applied to your account and any arrears from previous years that have not been paid.

If you think the information on your bill is incorrect or if you have not received a bill please contact LPS.