The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) regularly updates the rateable values of all business and other non-domestic properties (properties that are not just private homes) in England and Wales. This is called a revaluation.
Business rate 2026 revaluation
Every three years the Valuation Office Agency (external link) (VOA) updates the rateable values of over 2 million commercial properties in England and Wales. This process reflects changes in the market and is known as a revaluation. The next revaluation will come into effect on 1st April 2026.
Rateable values are the amount of rent a property could have been let for on a set valuation date. For the 2026 revaluation, that date is 1st April 2024. Your rateable value isn’t the same as the rent you are paying on your property.
As your local council, we use these rateable values to calculate business rates bills.
At a revaluation, business rates bills may increase, decrease or stay the same. A rise in your rateable value does not necessarily mean your business rates bill will increase by a similar amount.
From April 2026 in England, the government will create two additional, lower multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. Local councils will be responsible for deciding which businesses are eligible, in line with government guidance.
Contacting the Valuation Office Agency
As your local council, we are responsible for anything to do with your business rates bill, including adding any relief you might be eligible for.
The VOA is responsible for the valuation of your property. You should contact the VOA (external link) with any questions about your property’s rateable value.
Finding your rateable value
You can now view your property’s current and future rateable value through the VOA's find a business rates valuation (external link) service on GOV.UK. You can use this service to see the details the VOA holds for your property and compare your property’s rateable value with similar properties in the area.
You have until 31st March 2026 to request any changes to your current rateable value using your business rates valuation account. After 1st April 2026 you will only be able to make changes to your new valuation.
Working with a business rates agent
You can manage your business rates yourself. If you want to appoint an agent, the VOA has published information about how to choose a business rates agent (external link).
If you want to authorise an agent to act on your behalf, you can appoint one using a business rates valuation account (external link). Get more information on everything you need to know about this revaluation on the VOA’s website (external link).
Change to current revaluation list 2023
Rateable values are the amount of rent a property could have been let for on a set valuation date. For the 2023 valuation, that date was 1st April 2021.
We use these rateable values to calculate business rates bills.
Revaluations are carried out to reflect changes in the property market, which means that business rates bills are based on more up-to-date information.
See below links for further information:
If your property details need changing
To tell the VOA about changes to your property details (such as floor area sizes and parking) you need a business rates valuation account. The VOA may accept your changes and update the current and future valuations.
If you think your rateable value is too high
From 1st April 2023, you will need to use a business rates valuation account to tell the VOA you think your rateable value is too high. You must continue to pay your business rates as normal until a decision has been made.
You have until 31st March 2026 to request any changes to your current rateable value using your business rates valuation account. After 1st April 2026 you will only be able to make changes to your new valuation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a revaluation?
Revaluation is the term used to describe the regular review of rateable values for all non-domestic properties in England and Wales.
Revaluation takes account of any changes in the rental market and redistributes the total amount of business rates paid between different properties to reflect those changes.
Business rates are charged on most non-domestic properties such as:
- Shops
- Offices
- Pubs
- Warehouses
- Factories
- Holiday rental homes or guest houses
- Beach huts
- Stables.
You’ll probably have to pay business rates if you use a building, part of a building, or land for non-domestic purposes.
How does the VOA value a property?
The VOA values a property by its rateable value. Rateable values are the amount of rent a property could have been let for on a set valuation date. For the 2026 revaluation, that date is 1st April 2024.
To calculate the rateable value, the VOA analyses the rental property market to ensure that rateable values reflect the market accurately.
Why can't I challenge my valuation before 1 April 2026?
Legally, it’s not possible to challenge your valuation until 1st April 2026, which is the date the 2026 rating list takes effect.
It is still possible to update the details the VOA has about of your property or tell them if you think your valuation is wrong raising a Check against your 2023 valuation. You can do this through your business rates valuation account (external link).
You can also compare your property’s rateable value with similar properties in the area and check how the valuation was calculated. The VOA has improved how they display this information to make it easier for you to understand how your property’s rateable value was calculated.
What is the valuation date for revaluation 2026?
The revaluation date for 2026 is 1st April 2024. The government sets the valuation date usually two years before a revaluation to allow time for data collection and analysis.
How is my business rates bill calculated?
Your bill is calculated by taking your rateable value and multiplying this by a value known as a multiplier. This is set by the UK Government in England and the Welsh Government in Wales.
Where can I see my property’s rateable value?
You can now see your property’s future rateable value and get an estimate of what your business rates bill may be from 1 April 2026.
Go to the VOA’s find a business rates valuation service (external link) on GOV.UK.
Who do I contact if my property has changed?
If a property has changed, for example its floor size is different, then you can tell the VOA using a business rates valuation account. There is information explaining how to set up a business rates valuation account on GOV.UK (external link).
Who do I contact if my rateable value is too high?
If you think your future rateable value is too high, you can get in touch with the VOA using a business rates valuation account (external link). While you can't challenge your 2026 valuation until 1st April, you can let us know the details we hold about your property are wrong by raising a Check against your 2023 valuation.
Any changes made to your 2023 valuation could result in your rateable value going up or down. This may also affect your future valuation from 1st April 2026.
You must continue to pay your business rates as normal until a decision has been made on your case. If you are due a refund when your case is resolved this will be calculated and issued by your local council.
Why do similar properties have different rateable values?
When calculating a rateable value, the VOA considers how much a property could be let for on a set date. The rateable value of properties can vary for a number of reasons like size or location.
What business rates reliefs are available?
There are several types of business rates relief. You can find further information on GOV.UK (external link).
Some reliefs are applied automatically and some you need to apply for. You should never have to pay anyone to apply for a relief.
What if I want to use an agent?
You can manage your business rates yourself. If you want to appoint an agent, the VOA has published information about how to choose a business rates agent (external link).
If you want to authorise an agent to act on your behalf, you can appoint one using a business rates valuation account (external link).