NI Council Rates 2025: See the Full List of Increases for Each Area

Most councils in Northern Ireland will raise rates bills next financial year. Belfast is slated for the highest increase at 5.99%, while Derry and Strabane rates will rise almost 5%.

Ards and North Down, along with Causeway Coast and Glens, have set the lowest rate increases at 3.65%.

Rates are property taxes in Northern Ireland. Homeowners pay a domestic rate, and businesses pay a business rate.

Local councils set the district rate, directly impacting residents. The Stormont Executive sets another rate, which could rise 3-5%.

Rates fund vital public services such as health, education, and justice. Bills are based on property value.

New rates start April 1, 2025. The Northern Ireland Executive hasn’t set regional rates yet. Bills are issued after both rates are finalized.

Antrim and Newtownabbey approved a nearly 5% rate rise for homes and businesses. The yearly increase is about £36, or 70 pence weekly.

Ards and North Down will rise 3.65%, among the lowest in Northern Ireland. With inflation at 2.5% in December, the average home rises £1.75 monthly and businesses rise £5 monthly.

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon will decide soon, with a meeting scheduled Thursday to agree on rates.

Belfast’s 5.99% rate hike translates to £0.40 weekly for terrace homes, £0.62 for three-bed terraces, £1.37 for detached homes, £0.39 for apartments, £10.39 for offices and £8.51 for retail.

Causeway Coast and Glens is set at 3.65%. A business with £10,000 NAV increases £107.78 yearly, that’s £2.07 a week, while average homes rise 42p weekly based on a £124,728 home.

Derry City and Strabane rates will rise 4.92%. Sinn Fein claimed this represents the least possible increase.

Fermanagh and Omagh rates rise 3.76%. Typical homes (£115,000) rise £1.50 monthly, and businesses (£5,000 NAV) rise £4 monthly. This impacts the district rate portion only.

Lisburn and Castlereagh rates are 3.99%, roughly 41p more a week per household.

Mid and East Antrim rates also rise 3.99% for both homes and businesses. Homes will pay 98p more per week, and businesses pay £11 more weekly.

Mid Ulster rates rise 5.1%. Average homes rise 49p a week. The council cited funding shortfalls and rising costs.

Newry, Mourne and Down rates are set at 3.98%. For a £133,000 home, it’s £24.74 more per year.