Business rates rateable values
Business rates are worked out based on your property’s ‘rateable value’. This is its open market rental value based on an estimate by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an executive agency of HM Revenue and Customs.
The VOA is responsible for calculating the rateable value of your property.
We use the rateable value to calculate your business rates bill. We are responsible for billing and collection of business rates including any relief from payment.
If you are unsure on how business rates is calculated, you can go to gov.uk and search 'business rates' or view the VOA's Introduction to Business Rates
Here's how to check your rateable value and information about the appeals process.
Business Rates 2026 Revaluation
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.
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.
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.
Check your business rate charges
Visit the VOA's website to check the details held about your property.
View and confirm the details held about your property
Appeal or challenge your business rate charges
Business rates are a national tax set by central government, therefore Councils cannot alter the amount of rates due.
However, if you believe your business rate charges are too high or there has been a change in material circumstances, then you can check and challenge your business rates valuation: step by step.
The government regulations require you to pay the rates based on the current rateable value until the appeal has been concluded.
If you are successful in your appeal and the rateable value is reduced, then any overpayment of rates made will be refunded to you. Provided payments have been made on time, interest is awarded at a rate specified by the government annually.
The valuation officer may alter the value of the property if circumstances change. The ratepayer (and certain others who have an interest in the property) can check and challenge their rateable value if they believe it is wrong.
Employing a ratings adviser
Ratepayers do not have to be represented in discussions about their rateable value or their rates bill. Appeals against rateable values can be made free of charge. However, ratepayers who do wish to be represented should be aware that members of the royal institution of chartered surveyors (RICS) and the institute of revenues rating and valuation (IRRV) are qualified and are regulated by rules of professional conduct designed to protect the public from misconduct.
Before you employ a rating adviser, you should check that they have the necessary knowledge and expertise, as well as appropriate indemnity insurance. Take great care, and if necessary, seek further advice before entering into any contract.
Exemptions
If your premises become vacant, you may be eligible for an exemption from rates charges for up to three or six months. Commercial premises are entitled to three months exemption, after which full rates are payable.
All vacant premises with a rateable value of less than £2,900 are exempt from paying empty property rates.
Premises which are classed as industrial, such as warehouses and factories are entitled to six months exemption, after which full rates are payable. Please visit our property reliefs page for more information.
Helpful Information from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA)
The VOA has a lot of helpful information on their website and in video explanations. They cover common subjects such as:
Introduction to business rates
Check and challenge your business rates valuation: step by step
Be wary of rogue business rates agents
Self-catering and holiday let accommodation
Videos explaining terminology:
Customer ‘how to’ videos:
Business Rates Valuation Account registration
How to find your rateable value
How to claim your property for business rates
Videos explaining VOA processes:
How we measure properties for business rates
How we use retail zoning for business rates
How we assess pubs for business rates
The Valuation Office Agency have a blog which is updated regularly with useful information on Business Rates valuations. This blog provides various updates and information. Topics include “How we value for business rates”, “Understanding your property’s valuation” and an introduction to “Understanding business rates”.
Contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA)
You can contact the VOA for further help and advice for your rateable value. If you need to write to the VOA, please do so at:
Valuation Office Agency
Durham Customer Service Centre
Wycliffe House
Green Lane
Durham DH1 3UW