Format and Content of Rate Books

Specially printed books were introduced from the latter part of the 18th century onward.

Click on the image to enlarge

It is from this date that the information collected becomes more consistent. This could include:

Names of occupier and owner (or proprietor)
Address and sometimes a brief description of the property Assessment of the value of the property (rateable value)
Amount to be collected
Occupation/profession of the ratepayer

Sometimes the rate collector added helpful notes or remarks indicating that the house had been pulled down or that the occupier had moved. Those who were exempt from payment on the grounds of poverty may also be included.

The books were normally arranged by ward or parish and then by street (although some rate books were arranged by name) and sometimes have street indexes. Where house numbers are given a certain amount of caution must be used because it was not uncommon for whole streets to be renumbered. It may be possible to identify individual houses if the series of rate books is sufficiently complete by making a note of the occupants on either side of the property. The amount of the assessment did not usually alter by very much, so this can be an additional clue. Trade directories can also be a useful check to confirm that you have located the right house.