Business Rates

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.

Business Rates Revaluation Frequently asked questions

Stay informed about your business rates

Be the first to know about changes to your property’s valuation for business rates.

Valuations are changing soon.

With a Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) business rates valuation account, you can;

Check the details the VOA holds
Tell the VOA if something is wrong
See how your property’s valuation has been worked out

Sign up for a business rates valuation account today and claim your property at https://www.gov.uk/business-rates-valuation-account

The Government provides information on business rates including information on business rates reductions.

Explanatory Notes for Non Domestic Rates

Paying Business Rates

PAY BUSINESS RATES ONLINE

You can also pay business rates by direct debit

Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) can also pay their business rates online

Business rates relief

If you meet the criteria and wish to apply for a relief please contact us

Apply for Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) using our application form

Small Business Rates Review

S44a Policy

Mental health and money problems are closely linked visit the www.halton.gov.uk/mhinfopoint for information and details of support available

Business Rates Revaluation 2023

The Government Agency, 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. 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 1 April 2021.

Local authorities use these rateable values provided by the Valuation Office Agency 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. The next revaluation will come into effect on 1 April 2023.

For enquiries regarding your business rates bill please contact business.rates@halton.gov.uk . However, please note that 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. Sign in or register for a business rates valuation account ready for 1 April 2023.

How Coronavirus (COVID-19) 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.

Business Rates FOI Information