You cannot opt out of business rates if your property qualifies — but most holiday let owners end up paying little or nothing. If your property's rateable value is £12,000 or below, you can claim 100% Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR), reducing your bill to zero. Tapered relief applies between £12,001 and £15,000.

To qualify for business rates in the first place (rather than council tax), your property must be available to let commercially for at least 140 days a year in England, and actually let for at least 70 days. If it falls below those thresholds, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) may switch it back to council tax — which is often more expensive.

Check your rateable value and SBRR eligibility with your local council.