Every three years the Valuation Office Agency (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 1 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 1 April 2024. Your rateable value isn’t the same as the rent you are paying on your property.

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. 

In England, from April 2026, 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 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 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 can also get an estimate of what your future business rates bill might be from 1 April 2026. This gives you an indication of what your business rates bill might be and may not take into account any relief you might be eligible for.

What to do if you think your valuation is incorrect

If you think your valuation is wrong or want to make any changes to your property details (such as floor area sizes and parking) you will need a business rates valuation account.

While you can’t challenge your 2026 valuation until 1 April, you can update the details the VOA has about your property or tell them if you think your valuation is wrong. You do this by raising a Check against your current valuation using your business rates valuation account.

Any changes made to your current valuation could result in your rateable value going up or down. This may also affect your future valuation from 1 April 2026.

You have until 31 March 2026 to request any changes to your current rateable value using your business rates valuation account. After 1 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.

If you want to authorise an agent to act on your behalf, you can appoint one using a business rates valuation account. Get more information on everything you need to know about this revaluation on the VOA’s website.

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. Properties like:

• 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 1 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 1 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.

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.

Is revaluation about getting more money from ratepayers?

Revaluation does not raise extra revenue. 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. 

What is the valuation date for revaluation 2026?

The revaluation date for 2026 is 1 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.

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 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. 

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. While you can't challenge your 2026 valuation until 1 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 1 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.

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.

If you want to authorise an agent to act on your behalf, you can appoint one using a business rates valuation account.