Almost all 11 councils in Northern Ireland have now confirmed a rise in rates bills for the upcoming financial year. The highest percentage increase in 2024/25 is 5.99% within Belfast City Council while ratepayers in Derry City and Strabane are also set to be hit with an inflation busting increase of nearly 5%.
Elsewhere, both Ards and North Down and Causeway Coast and Glens have set the lowest district rate to date of all the councils at 3.65%.
READ MORE: Derry and Strabane council announces above inflation rates increase
READ MORE: Lisburn and Castlereagh council strike 'lowest NI rates'
Rates are a property tax paid by households and businesses in Northern Ireland. Residential properties pay a domestic rate, whereas non-domestic properties pay a business rate.
The overall rate residents pay is based on the district rate set by local councils. The regional rate is set by the Stormont Executive and is expected to rise by 3-5% according to the latest Department of Finance consultation.
Rates pay for public services such as health, education, justice and other regional services. The bills are calculated on the value of a property.
The new rates will take effect from 1 April 2025. The regional rates determined by the Northern Ireland Executive across all Council areas have not yet been set. Final rates bills are issued once both rates have been set.
Rates decisions by each council
Antrim and Newtownabbey
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has approved a rates rise of almost 5% for homes and businesses for the 2025/26 financial year.
Councillors accepted the recommendation to approve the 4.96% increase, which would amount to an additional £36 per year or 70 pence per week for households and businesses.
Ards and North Down
Ards and North Down Borough is set for a district rate rise of 3.65% - a figure amongst the lowest in Northern Ireland over the coming financial year.
Elected representatives recently announced the 3.65% rise for both domestic and non-domestic properties for 2025/26. The UK inflation rate in December was 2.5 percent.
This rate rise amounts to an increase of approximately £1.75 per month for the average household and £5 per month for the average business in the borough.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Councillors in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon are due to meet on Thursday to agree the rates for 2025/26.
Belfast
Belfast councillors have voted through a rates hike of 5.99%. In “real terms”, the Council says, this means an average weekly increase of £0.40 for a terraced property; £0.62 for a three-bed terraced property; £1.37 for a four-bed detached property; £0.39 for an apartment; £10.39 for an office property and £8.51 for a retail property.
Causeway Coast and Glens
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has struck its new district rate for April 2025 – March 2026 at 3.65%. The figure means that a business with a Net Annual Value (NAV) of £10,000 will see an increase of £107.78 to its annual rates bill, or £2.07 per week.
For householders, the effect of the increase will be £21.70 per year or 42p each week, based on a house within the Borough at an average capital value of £124,728.
Derry City and Strabane
Derry City and Strabane District Council agreed its budget for the incoming 2025/26 financial year and set a District Rates increase for ratepayers of 4.92%.
The largest party on the council, Sinn Fein, said a 4.92% increase agreed during a special council meeting on Monday afternoon is the smallest increase possible for the council to press ahead with plans to upgrade leisure centres, prevent job losses and maintain services.
Fermanagh and Omagh
Councillors in Fermanagh and Omagh struck a District Rate increase of 3.76% for domestic (residential) and non-domestic (business) properties, representing an increase of £1.50 per month for the average domestic (residential) property with a capital value of £115,000 and an extra £4 per month for non-domestic (business) properties with an average net annual value of £5,000, on the 2025-2026 District Rate portion of the rates bill.
Lisburn and Castlereagh
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has struck its rates at 3.99% despite concerns of "massive legal costs". This means for the average household this will equate to a rise of just 41p/week of an increase.
The rise was approved by a majority with just one dissenting voice on concerns the council was not investing enough in its assets and communities.
Mid and East Antrim
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council struck the annual rate for 2025/26, agreeing an increase of 3.99% for both domestic and non-domestic properties.
It means that from April, the average householder’s bill will increase by 98p per week — or £51 per year. The average small business will see a rise of £11 per week or £572 per year.
Mid Ulster
Councillors in Mid Ulster have agreed on a rate for 2025-2026 at 5.1%. This will result in an increase of 49p per week for an average domestic ratepayer for the council portion of their rates bill.
In a statement, the council attributed the increase to the “difficult financial climate, unavoidable pressures including a rise in Employer National Insurance Contributions and National Pay Award increases, and significantly, a shortfall in central government funding received by the Council through the Rates Support Grant”.
Newry, Mourne and Down
Members of Newry Mourne and Down District Council have struck the rate for the incoming financial year at 3.98%.
The Domestic Rate for 2025/2026 will be 0.4862 pence. For a property valued at £133,000*, this would lead to an annual increase of £24.74 per year or £2.06 per month. The Non-Domestic District Rate for 2025/26 is 30.1884 pence.
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