Relief for charitable, voluntary and community sector organisations

If your organisation is a registered charity, community amateur sports association or is recognised as a charity for UK tax purposes you may be entitled to 80% relief on your business rates bill.

The property must be used wholly or mainly for charitable purposes. If it is a charity shop, it must sell mainly donated goods.

If your organisation is not a registered charity, we may use our discretion to offer additional relief to voluntary and community sector organisations (VCOs) in the following circumstances.

100% relief is offered to:

  • youth centres
  • voluntary aided schools
  • counselling centres
  • on a case by case basis, we offer 100% relief to VCOs that are funded by Haringey Council – council funding includes grants, contracts and discounted rent on community buildings. The case by case judgement is based on:
    • whether the VCO brings significant social value to residents, and
    • whether the additional relief offered directly supports the activity that the council is funding the VCO to deliver

80% relief is offered to:

  • charity offices
  • ethnic and community centres
  • religious organisations
  • schools (private) and academies
  • sports clubs and associations
  • theatre, arts and cultural groups
  • charity shops that are reinvesting all of their profits into local social causes
  • employment and skills support services
  • organisations that promote health and wellbeing for local residents and a clean local environment
  • organisations that work with groups of residents who are vulnerable or have additional needs – for example:
    • working with those with special educational needs and disabilities
    • isolated individuals
    • children whose welfare is at risk
  • children’s playgroups

All organisations applying for discretionary relief must provide information on how they provide social value and benefits to residents and the local area. This includes registered charities which are applying for an additional 20% discretionary relief.

Eligibility criteria

To find out more about our eligibility criteria for discretionary relief for VCOs see the following document:

Application forms

Charitable relief application form

Voluntary and CommunitySector application form

Contact the business rates team

Our phone line is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9am to 5pm.
Phone
020 8489 1700
Contact online
Contact us using our online form (quickest option)
Address

Haringey Council Business Rates
PO Box 55280
London
N22 9EN

The above address is for written correspondence only.

We are unable to see customers in person. Our Customer Services Centres can accept copies of documents but will not be able to answer any questions about your Business Rates.