Belfast Householders Face Rates Hike of Nearly 6%
Belfast City Council has approved a 5.99% increase in district rates for 2025/26, impacting households and businesses.
Belfast, Rates, Council, Northern Ireland, National Insurance
Belfast: The City Council has decided to raise the district rate by 5.99% for 2025/26. This means households will see a small increase in their weekly bills.
For example, a terraced home will pay about 40p more each week. A three-bedroom house will see an increase of 62p, while a four-bedroom detached home will go up by £1.37. Apartments will rise by 39p, and office properties will increase by £10.39.
Councillor Ryan Murphy explained that this rise is due to higher National Insurance contributions. He mentioned that the council worked hard to keep the increase as low as possible.
Murphy also noted that the council faces challenges like inflation and pay pressures. However, they have made significant savings to manage these costs.
The council aims to balance support for communities and businesses while maintaining essential services. They plan to invest in parks, leisure centers, and sports facilities.
Additionally, the council will expand its glass recycling service to more homes. They are committed to improving efficiency and sustainability in their services.
So far, Belfast City Council has invested £300 million in facilities, including new leisure centers and various funds to boost local development.