Property valuations

Rateable Value

Business rates are worked out based on your property’s rateable value. The rateable value is assessed by the Valuation Office Agency, which is an agency of HM Revenue and Customs.

In most instances, a property's rateable value is an assessment of the annual rent the property would rent for if it were available to let on the open market at a fixed valuation date.

Until 31 March 2017, the rateable values were based on a valuation date of 1 April 2008
Until 31 March 2023, the rateable values are based on the valuation date of 1 April 2015
From 1 April 2023, the rateable values are based on the valuation date of 1 April 2021

If you think your rateable value is incorrect, you can find and view your property details.

The VOA sets the rateable value of business premises by using property details such as rental information.

We use the rateable value and the business rates multiplier (set by central government) to calculate your business rates bill.

You can click, find and review your rateable value on the VOA's website. If you have reason to believe that your rateable value is not correct, follow the instructions provided on the site. You will need to do the following:

CHECK - review and confirm the facts about your property held by the VOA
CHALLENGE - once the facts are established, explain why you believe your valuation is wrong

An appeal on your rateable value is not possible, and may not be necessary, until you have completed CHECK and CHALLENGE.

Revaluation

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.

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.

Contacting the Valuation Office Agency

We are responsible for anything to do with your business rates bill. The VOA is responsible for the valuation of your property. You will therefore need to contact the VOA for all queries about your rateable value.

Finding your rateable value

You are now able to see the future rateable value for your property and get an estimate of what your 2023/24 business rates bill may be. You can do this through the VOA’s Find a Business Rates Valuation Service on GOV.UK.

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.

You think your rateable value is too high

From 1 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.

How Coronavirus affected future rateable values

The VOA bases most rateable values on an estimate of what it would cost to rent a property for a year, starting on a certain date.

For the 2023 valuation, that date was 1 April 2021. This was during the pandemic and the rent information the VOA used reflected this.