Rate bills are being issued to homes and businesses across Northern Ireland this week by Land & Property Services (LPS), the Government Agency responsible for collecting rates.

The bill shows the amount owed for the billing period 2011/12 as well as any debt carried forward from previous years.

An LPS spokesperson said: "Rates fund vital public services such as healthcare, education and roads as well as helping to fund a number of council services including recreational facilities, bin collection, tourism and local events.

"Ratepayers will have received a booklet with their bill. We would encourage everyone to read this carefully as it contains information about how their bill is calculated, methods of payment, and how they can get help with paying their rates."

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A 4% discount is available to all Northern Ireland domestic ratepayers if they pay their rate bill in full by 6 May. The spokesperson continued: "If LPS receives payment in full, in a single payment by the discount day, which this year is 6 May, you will receive a 4% discount. You must allow a minimum of five working days for payment to reach us. Customers should bear in mind that there are a number of bank holidays around this time and these are not classified as working days.

"Ratepayers can also pay by Direct Debit and is said to be the easiest method of payment and can help spread the cost of the rate bill," she said, noting that LPS offers ratepayers a choice of three collection dates; 7th of the month; 15th of the month; or 28th of the month.

A number of other payment options are available including; standing order, telephone and internet banking, cheque, online and using a 'Rates QuickPay Card' which customers bring along to any Post Office or one of the 800 participating payzone outlets.

There are also a range of reliefs and entitlements available to help ratepayers pay both domestic and business rate bills.

The spokesperson added: "If you are having trouble paying your rate bill we would encourage you to make contact with us to see if you are entitled to any of the rate reliefs available or to enter into a payment agreement with us."

(GK/BMcC)