As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, from April 2026, the government replaced retail, hospitality and leisure relief with two lower business rates multipliers for properties with rateable values below £500,000.
New Multipliers from April 2026
Three new multipliers have been introduced from 1st April 2026, two relating to retail, hospitality and leisure and one for properties with a rateable value over £499,999
You can find further details about multipliers on GOV.UK
Applying for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Multipliers
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council will be responsible for determining which properties are eligible for these multipliers in line with government criteria / guidance.
If your property has not been designated as retail, hospitality and leisure and you believe it meets the criteria you will need to complete a Business Use form using the Apply4online website.
You will be required to create an account if you have not already used this application process previously for things such as applying for Covid Business grants.
Please make a note of your account details and password so you can regain access again in the future if required.
Things to note before you start your application
- You will need your property reference number to hand starting NNR (you will be able to find this on your latest Business Rates bill).
- Your Business Rates account number (you will be able to find this on your latest Business Rates bill).
- Internal and external photographs of the property where relief is being claimed. These will need to be uploaded as part of your application
- Proof of occupation such as a utility bill, buildings and contents insurance etc. This will need to be uploaded as part of your application.
A guide to completing a Business Use application via apply4online is available on our Application Guide web page.