There are 7 main ways to pay your business rates:

1. By direct debit

You can pay your business rates direct from your bank account by direct debit. Rates are collected on the 28th of the month from May to February.  To find out more about this please contact the business rates office or download a direct debit mandate from the bottom of this page.

Payment types 2 – 7 should be paid on or before the 15th of the month, or the date advised on the bill.

2. Over the internet 

Click on the following link and select the business rates payment option https://www.e-paycapita.com/eastlothian/index.jsp. If you pay by credit card a surcharge will be added.

3. By credit or debit card

Call 01875 824301 during office hours.  If you pay by credit card a surcharge will be added.

4. By plastic payment card at any local office

You can pay without charge at any of our local offices:

John Muir House, Court Street, Haddington, EH41 3YA
Telephone: 01620 827827

Brunton Hall, Ladywell, Musselburgh, EH21 6AF
Telephone: 0131 653 5220

Aldhammer House, High Street, Prestonpans, EH32 9SH
Telephone: 01875 818100

Civic Square, Tranent, EH33 1LH
Telephone: 01875 824101

We take payments from 9am to 4:30pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10am to 4.30pm Wednesday and 9am to 3:30pm on Friday.  Your payment will normally be credited to your business rates account the next working day.

5. By plastic payment card at any Post Office

You can use your business rates card to make a payment at any post office.  Payments may take up to four days to reach us.

6. By post

You can send a cheque or postal order to:

Director of Corporate Finance & IT
East Lothian Council
PO Box 13252
HADDINGTON
EH41 3YB

Please write your name, address and account number on the back of your cheque.  Please make cheques payable to 'East Lothian Council'.  Do not send cash.

7. By BACS

Payment should be made to:

Bank of Scotland
44 Court Street
Haddington

Sort code: 80-08-23
Account: 00336377
Name: East Lothian Council

Please ensure your business rates account number is quoted with the payment and that payment is received no later than the 15th of each month.

Failure to Pay

If you pay by monthly instalments and the equivalent of four instalments have not been paid by the 30th September each year, or after this date, you then fall into arrears by two instalments, then you will lose the right to pay by instalments and the full outstanding balance for the year will become due.

At this stage you will be issued with a final notice requesting payment in 14 days. If payment is not made within 14 days then a summary warrant will be taken to recover the debt and a 10% statutory surcharge will be added to the outstanding balance on your account.

Contact(s)

If you need any further information please contact:

Business Rates Team
East Lothian Council
PO Box 13264
Haddington
EH41 3YG

Telephone: 01620 827682/7683
Email: rates@eastlothian.gov.uk