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Rate bills issued for 2011 - 12

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 2011/12 as well as any debt carried forward from previous years.

An LPS spokesperson said: “Rates fund vital public services such as healthcare, education and roads as well as helping to fund a number of council services including recreational facilities, bin collection, tourism and local events. Ratepayers will have received a booklet with their bill.  We would encourage everyone to read this carefully as it contains information about how their bill is calculated, methods of payment, and how they can get help with paying their rates.

A 4% discount is available to all Northern Ireland domestic ratepayers if they pay their rate bill in full by 6 May. The spokesperson continued: “If LPS receives payment in full, in a single payment by the discount day, which this year is 6 May, you will receive a 4% discount. You must allow a minimum of five working days for payment to reach us. Customers should bear in mind that there are a number of bank holidays around this time and these are not classified as working days.

“You can also 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.

“A number of other payment options are available including; standing order, telephone and internet banking, cheque, online and using a ‘Rates QuickPay Card’ which customers bring along to any Post Office or one of the 800 participating payzone outlets.”

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.”

LPS has teamed up with nidirect to hold a one hour online session on Thursday 21 April to answer any questions you might have about your bill. This will be held on the NI Direct website:

You should send your questions to: Ni Direct  before Wednesday 20 April (1pm). An LPS official will post responses on nidirect on Thursday 21 April at 2.30pm. The e-mail address for posting questions is: