Rates Information
What are rates?
Rates are a property-based tax, designed to raise revenue to make a contribution towards the cost of services within Northern Ireland. They are based on the value of properties for households and businesses.
How is the rates bill made up?
A ratepayer's bill in Northern Ireland consists of two elements:
1. A District Rate
2. A Regional Rate
District Rate - what is it used for?
The District rate is sent by each Council and the money raised is used to fund the services that it provides such as:
- Refuse Collection and Disposal
- Implementation of Waste Management
- Programme
- Street Cleaning
- Parks and Recreation Grounds
- Leisure Facilities
- Arts and Events
- Environmental Health Services
- Building Control
- Community Centres
- Support to the Voluntary & Community Sector
The Council has prepared a leaflet, "Understanding your rates", it is available for download from here
Regional Rate - what is it used for?
The Regional Rate is set by Central Government and local Councils HAVE NO control over this. It is the same for all 26 Councils and is used to contribute to the cost of providing a range of services such as: - Education, Housing, Social Services, Roads, Water and Sewerage.
Council rates for 2007/08
Domestic District Rate 0.2884p
Non-domestic District Rate 18.70p
The Council have always prided itself in delivering high quality services to its residents, whilst trying to keep the rates as low as possible. This years increase of 6.45% means that Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council has the 6th lowest rate in the province.
Major capital projects include:
A major initiative to re-open the historical site of Castle Hill to public access after hundreds of years. Plans are underway to create a heritage based public park and the refurbishment of Ranfurly House (Bank Buildings) to improve facilities for community use to compliment the newly opened visitor centre. Hopefully, additional funding from the National Lottery will ensure that Castle Hill Park becomes one of the town's signature projects with an educational and cultural edge, as well as becoming a tourist attraction and a facility for reconciliation, regeneration and partnership.
Dungannon Leisure Centre users will see major improvements to changing facilities and the fitness suite. Council's commitment to improving the health and well being of its residents will ensure that such facilities are modernised to meet the needs of today's society.
Other projects planned include the completion of the road naming scheme and further development of play park facilities in the Borough.
Changes to Domestic Rates in Northern Ireland
Changes have taken place in the Domestic Rating system in Northern Ireland. The two main changes are: -
- VLA have carried out a re-evaluation of all properties based on their valuation at 1 January 2005
- Your rates bill from 1 April 2007 will be based on the capital value of your home. A list of all capital values may be obtained from www.mycapitalvalueni.gov.uk
Information on the rental value of your non-domestic property can be found on www.vla.nics.gov.uk
For further information on changes to domestic rates please click the link below
Water and Sewage Charges
From 1 April 2007 every household will pay a direct charge for their water supply. You will also have to pay a separate charge if you are connected to the public sewerage system.
For further information on water and sewerage charges please click the link below
How do I pay my rates?
Click the link below to visit the Rate Collection Agency's Website to find out ways to pay your rates.
