Rates bills issued

Rate bills are being issued to homes and businesses across Northern Ireland this week by Land & Property Services (LPS), the Government Agency responsible for collecting rates.

The bill shows the amount owed for the billing period 2010/11 as well as any debt carried forward from previous years.

An LPS spokesperson said: “This year’s bill has been redesigned to make it more user friendly and to allow ratepayers to see the most important information at a glance. A new booklet has also been produced which will be issued to all ratepayers with their bill.

“We would encourage everyone to read this booklet carefully as it contains a lot of useful information about how their bill is calculated, methods of payment, how to get help with paying your rates, as well as answers to a number of frequently asked questions.”

A 4% discount is available to all Northern Ireland domestic ratepayers if they pay their rate bill in full by 7 May. The spokesperson continued: “If you pay your rate bill in full, in a single payment by the discount day, which this year is 7 May, you will receive an early payment discount. Ratepayers must allow a minimum of five working days for payment to reach LPS.

“Alternatively you can pay by direct debit. This is the easiest method of payment and can help you to spread the cost of your rate bill. LPS offers ratepayers a choice of three collection dates; 7th of the month; 15th of the month; or 28th of the month.

“This year, we’re also offering a new and convenient way to pay your rates with a new ‘Rates QuickPay Card’. Customers who wish to use this card can simply bring it along to any Post Office or one of the 800 participating payzone outlets and pay their bill either in full or by instalments.”

Responding to customer feedback ratepayers also have for the first time the option of paying their bill online. Full details of these and all other payment methods are included in the booklet all ratepayers will receive with their bill or alternatively by contacting NI Direct by telephone on 101 or online at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/rates

There are also a range of reliefs and entitlements available to help ratepayers pay both domestic and business rate bills. The spokesperson continued: “If you are having trouble paying your rate bill we would encourage you to make contact with us to see if you are entitled to any of the rate reliefs available or to enter into a payment agreement with us.”

This year, for the first time LPS and nidirect have teamed up to answer questions from ratepayers about their rate bills. LPS will hold a one hour session on http://www.nidirect.gov.uk on Thursday 15 April, to answer individual queries.

If ratepayers have specific questions in relation to their bill they can email feedback@nidirect.gov.uk before 13 April. A response will be posted on the website, on Thursday 15 April at 2:30 pm.

Notes to editors:

1. The new rate bill and booklet can be viewed online at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/rates
2. Names, email addresses and any other personal details from enquirers to the webchat will not be published and they will not be used for any other purpose. The responses will remain on nidirect for four weeks.
3. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9025 5734 or 028 9052 7417. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.