No, not for an indoor storage unit with us, even if you’re storing business stock. The business rates on our storage buildings are our bill, and there’s no separate rates charge in the fees you pay us.
Why the rates bill is ours
Business rates are paid by whoever occupies a property. The Valuation Office, which values properties for rates, treats a whole self storage building as one property occupied by the storage company. You rent space to store your things, while we run and manage the building, so the rates sit with us. That’s what makes a storage unit such a simple choice for a small business: you pay for the space you use, and you don’t take on a rates bill with it.
Containers, larger spaces and Chipping Norton
A few of our spaces work a little differently, so it’s worth a quick word with us first:
- Outdoor containers. How containers are rated can vary from site to site, so if you’re taking one for your business, ask us how rates are handled at that site before you book.
- Our large warehouse spaces. Ask us how rates work for that space before you sign.
- Chipping Norton. Our prices there for units up to 1,000 sq ft include business rates. For a larger unit, or if you’d like it confirmed in writing for your accountant, just ask.
A unit with us or a lock-up of your own?
If you’re weighing up a unit with us against renting your own lock-up or small warehouse, rates are one of the biggest differences. With your own space, you’re normally the occupier, so the council sends the rates bill to you. Small business rate relief can bring that bill down to nothing if the property’s rateable value is £12,000 or less and it’s the only property your business uses, but if you already have a shop or workshop, a second property can affect that relief. Before you sign for a lock-up, you can look up its rateable value on GOV.UK and check with the council what you’d pay.
Questions for your accountant
Whether storage fees are an allowable expense for your business is a question for your accountant or HM Revenue and Customs. If you need paperwork for your records, our page on VAT invoices for business storage covers it.
A storage unit is for storing things, so it can’t be used as a shop, an office or your business address, which keeps the arrangement simple for everyone. Our guide to running a business from a storage unit explains what works well.
To compare the numbers, get a price online or call us on 0800 2545585. Tell us the space is for your business and we’ll help you pick the right size.
Related questions
- Can I use my storage unit as a business address?
- Business storage with Wigwam
- Business rates, in our glossary
Further reading
- GOV.UK: Business rates
- GOV.UK: Small business rate relief
- GOV.UK: Find a business rates valuation