Small businesses in England have been given until the end of September to appeal for backdated rate relief in a move that could see them benefit from more than £200 million in unclaimed payments.

The Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR), which is due to increase from October, currently entitles companies to significant reductions on their business rates. Calculated based on the individual rateable value of each property, the scheme generally applies to those with only one outlet who operate in premises worth less than £18,000 (£25,000 in London).

However, those with one main property and other additional ones are also eligible for the scheme, provided that the extra premises they occupy have a rateable value of less than £2,599 and that the total worth of all their outlets remains under the appropriate threshold.

Companies with a rateable value of less than £6,000 are presently entitled to a 50% discount on their business rates – something very few shop owners are currently aware of – while those with between that figure and £11,999 are also eligible for a reduction, though it is slightly less.

Properties with a rateable value of between £12,000 to £17,999 do not currently receive a percentage reduction on their bills, however their costs are calculated slightly differently to those ineligible for the scheme, using a multiplier developed specifically for small businesses.

Retailers are being urged to make their claims before the September 30th deadline by checking to see if they are entitled to a discount online.

Commenting on the urgency of the matter, Andrew Bacon, property advisor for business support group the Forum of Private Business (FPB), says, “Claiming backdated SBRR before the September deadline could mean that a small company paying £5,000 a year in rent gets a cheque back from the council that is enough to cover its overheads until March 2011, just for filling in a form.

“Unfortunately, most councils are saying nothing about the issue and many are handing out forms that actually stop businesses backdating their claim,” he continues. “This is something we first highlighted back in 2008 and, despite assurances that it would be tackled, the problem persists.”

Highlighting the importance of acting now, Mr Bacon adds, “Many businesses have downloaded claim forms for free from http://www.sbrr.co.uk over the last two days, enabling them to claim as much as £5,000 each. Had they waited until 1st October to do this, they would only have been able to receive £2,000.”

Warning retailers to take action before it is too late, he adds, “Time is running out so it is important to act now. The simple solution is for every business to send in the correct claim form before 30th September 2010. Those who are not eligible will simply be rejected, but those that are will get the money they deserve. We can help them.”

Reinforcing the Forum's warnings, Tom Parry, research manager of the Group, comments, “For the first time, we can begin to see a picture of the rate relief that is going unclaimed in each area and it amounts to a substantial amount of money at a time when small firms are struggling to maintain any kind of cash flow.

“It is now a race against time,” he warns. “The message to small business owners is clear – if you are entitled to SBRR, then lodge a claim without delay.”

To find out whether or not you are eligible and how much you are entitled to, go to http://www.sbrr.co.uk