Rate bills for the 2026/27 financial year will be sent to homes and businesses in Northern Ireland starting 1 April. Delivery will continue throughout April.

Land and Property Services handles the issuance. Ratepayers can access their bills online from 1 April through a Rates Online account. The service allows secure payments, detail updates, and checks on applied reliefs.

Funds from rates support public services such as health, education, and infrastructure. They also cover council services including waste collection, leisure centres, local economic projects, and tourism.

Northern Ireland has about 860,000 rateable domestic properties and 75,000 non-domestic properties. The average household rate bill for 2025/26 stood at £1,239.

Relief schemes include rate rebates for Universal Credit recipients and discounts for pensioners over 70 living alone. Businesses can access support schemes.

Domestic ratepayers qualify for a 4% discount if they pay the full 2026/27 bill by 8 May. Card payments through Rates Online secure the discount. Monthly instalments via Direct Debit are another option.

Ratepayers unable to pay should contact Land and Property Services promptly for support and alternative payment arrangements.