The next charity should not have to start from a blank page.

RateWatch is a collaborative network of charities, community groups and volunteers working to protect the proper application of mandatory charitable rates relief in Scotland.

You do not need to be an expert. You do not need a finished case. You do not need to be in a fight with anyone. If you use a building for charitable work, or you want the system to work as Parliament intended, there is a place for you here.

Who this is for

If you are a charity or community group dealing with a rates letter, an application, or a building used for charitable work — join so you are not handling it alone.

If you are a trustee, volunteer, adviser or neighbour who wants fairer treatment for genuine charitable use — join so the next group does not have to invent the process from scratch.

Two-thirds of Scottish charities have no paid staff. They should not need a rates specialist to receive a relief the law already grants.

What joining means

Joining RateWatch means becoming part of a shared network. People in the network:

• share practical knowledge about applications, evidence and process
• add their experience, named or anonymous, so a pattern can be seen
• help another organisation read a letter and take the next step
• stay in touch when the process changes, or when a group needs a second pair of eyes

We document what is happening. We pool knowledge. We help charities and community groups seek the relief the law already provides, and we work for that law to be applied as written.

What joining is not

It is not a campaign against local authorities.
It is not a promise that a bill will be cancelled.
It is not legal representation.
It is not a paid membership.
It is not a demand for relief where there is no genuine charitable use.

We are not asking for a free pass. We are asking for the existing 80% mandatory relief to be applied as written — with a proper account of how voluntary organisations actually use a building.

How to join

1. Email join@ratewatch.email and say you want to join the network. Tell us whether you need support, want to help, or both. That is enough to start.
2. Use the contact form at ratewatch.online/contact-us.
3. Add your experience — named or anonymous — if you have a story that would help another group.
4. If you can get to Stranraer, come to the Wednesday drop-in at Units 2/3/4, 23–29 George Street. You get a table and a straight reading of your letters.

You can do one of those things or all of them. Start with the email if you are not sure.

Why it matters

Mandatory 80% charitable rates relief is already the law. Too many small organisations still cannot reach it, because the process is confusing, inconsistent, and a poor fit for how volunteer-led groups actually use a building.

A network does not replace the statute. It makes the statute usable. That is what joining is for.

The 80% is already the law. Join us so the next group does not face it alone.