Business rates - second premises

[cslgirl]

Hi, have a question please. I have a shop for my business where I get small business rate relief so pay no rates.

Another shop has come up and I want to use it for another business I have in mind. I don't want to lose my business rate relief so how do I go about this? My number 1 business is a limited company. My husband will be helping me with the new business and is PAYE so would we need to set up a new business and then do it in his name to keep the relief? Can I do it under my number 1 business as another subsidiary?
Thanks

[surveyor]

another ltd company would work. Subsidiary of current would not.

[cslgirl]

Thanks - could I do it just in my name? Or would it need to be his or both? Or could I do a sole trader instead? rather than have to prepare 2 sets of Ltd co accounts?

[surveyor]

cslgirl said:

Thanks - could I do it just in my name? Or would it need to be his or both? Or could I do a sole trader instead? rather than have to prepare 2 sets of Ltd co accounts?

As long as it's not in the name of the ltd company No1, go for your life...

[Chrisgr31]

Not sure I agree. I have had this discussion with some billing authorities and the view was that if a companies had common directors them the small business relief did not apply. After all take it to the nth degree and Timpsons would get relief on all their shops.

I would be inclined to be safe and put it in your husbands name.

[surveyor]

Chrisgr31 said:

Not sure I agree. I have had this discussion with some billing authorities and the view was that if a companies had common directors them the small business relief did not apply. After all take it to the nth degree and Timpsons would get relief on all their shops.

I would be inclined to be safe and put it in your husbands name.

But yet I spoke to a landlord with several businesses last week who is doing this.

A ltd company is a separate legal entity in its own right. I think the billing authority would likely lose, unless the rules change in their favour...

[Ean218]

surveyor said:

But yet I spoke to a landlord with several businesses last week who is doing this.

Eh? He's either a landlord or he's running several businesses occupying property. Treatment of rates is entirely different between the two.

[surveyor]

Ean218 said:

surveyor said:

But yet I spoke to a landlord with several businesses last week who is doing this.

Eh? He's either a landlord or he's running several businesses occupying property. Treatment of rates is entirely different between the two.

He's both... Blown your mind yet?

Owns lots of properties in partnership. Some of his ltd companies rent from the partnership, and sometimes move around depending on what's empty and attracting a rate liability.