Commercial Rates Information and Advice

Commercial Rates - income collected from the Community and spent in the Community.

  1. How are rates decided?
  2. Can I spread my Commercial Rate payment over the year?
  3. If my circumstances change?
  4. I am relocating my business to Laois or relocating within Laois what should I do? 
  5. I have moved premises or no longer occupy a commercial premises?
  6. Transfer of property

Commercial Rates are a tax based on the rateable value of commercial or industrial properties.  Income from commercial rates parts funds Laois County Council, paying for a wide range of services including street lighting, maintenance of roads and footpaths, libraries, parks and playgrounds, sports and recreation facilities, economic development, community development and environmental protection.

How are rates decided?

The Valuation Office (VO) under Tailte Éireann value all rateable properties. The local authority use this Rateable Valuation to calculate annuals rates to be paid by the owner.

Laois County Councillors determine the Annual Rate of Valuation (ARV) at the annual Budget meeting. The ARV for 2024 is €0.2217.

The two figures are multiplied to calculate rates on each property. there are 

  • Rateable Valuation (calalated by the Valuation Office at a specified date)
  • Annual Rate of Valuation (ARV). This is decided by Laois County Council each year at the annual budge meeting

Rateable Valuation X Annual Rate of Valuation (ARV)

Example of rates calculation

A property with a Rateable Valuation of €5,500.00 would have rates calculated as below.

€5,5500.00 X €0.2217 = €1,219.35

Can I spread my Commercial Rate payment over the year? 

Yes, by signing up to a Standing Order Mandate. Laois County Council will accept monthly payments once the Rate Charges are paid in full by the year end.  

To receive a Standing Order form contact us by telephone 057 868 9367 or email us at rates@laoiscoco.ie 

All payment options are printed on the reverse side of your Commercial Rate Demand 

If my circumstances change? 

Contact us straight away about any changes in your circumstances.  We will then be able to work with you and advise the next step. 

Your account Manager direct contact details are found on your Commercial Rate Demand alternatively email: rates@laoiscoco.ie or 057 868 9367. 

I am relocating my business to Laois or relocating within Laois what should I do? 

Contact us straight away we will then be able to work with you and advise the next step.  Contact us at rates@laoiscoco.ie or by telephone 057 868 9367.  

We will advise you on completing a Section 11.  A completed Section 11 form which should be submitted to the Commercial Rates Section. 

I have moved premises or no longer occupy a commercial premises?

Contact us at rates@laoiscoco.ie or by telephone 057 868 9367, complete a Section 11 form which should be submitted to the Commercial Rates Section, Laois County Council, Aras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois. 

Transfer of property 

The Local Government Reform Act 2014, provides for a wide range of reforms to local authority functions, structures and funding, and includes a number of changes in respect of Commercial Rates. 

New legal requirement on owners/ratepayers in relation to a transfer of property: 

Section 11 of the Act places – 

  • An obligation on property owners, or their agents, to notify the Local Authority where an interest in a rateable property is transferred and the person liable for rates changes. 
  • The person transferring the property, either the owner or occupier, must discharge all rates for which he/she is liable at the date of transfer. 

Failure to notify Laois County Council of a change in interest within 14 days of the transfer date, may result in a penalty for non-compliance in that, the owner becomes liable for an amount which is equivalent to the level of outstanding liabilities (up to a maximum of 2 years liability). 

This obligation came into effect on 1st July, 2014 

Section 11.pdf (pdf, 413.98 KB)

Further information