Business rates are a tax on most non-domestic and business properties, including shops, offices, pubs, warehouse, factories and some holiday homes, in the same way that Council Tax is a tax on domestic property. This money collected helps towards the costs of local services provided by the council, police, and fire and rescue services.
Business rates bills is based on:
We use your property's rateable value to calculate your business rates bill. We are responsible for billing and collection of business rates including any relief from payment.
Check your current rateable value estimate your bill on GOV.UK
The Valuation Office Agency sets the rateable value for each property, which is an agency of HM Revenue and Customs.
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.
From 1 April 2026, you will only be able to check against the 2026 rating list. The 2023 non-domestic rating list closes on 31 March 2026.
If you think your rateable value is incorrect, you can find and view your property details on the GOV.UK website.
Check your property's rateable value
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) updates the rateable values of commercial properties in England and Wales every 3 years. This process reflects changes in the market and is known as a revaluation.
From 1 April 2026, your bill will be based on your property’s new rateable value set in the 2026 rating list.
A change in rateable value does not always mean your business rates bill will increase or decrease by the same amount.
More information about the 2026 revaluation is available on GOV.UK.
Find out more about revaluation
In addition, the government has made significant changes to the Business Rates multipliers for financial year 2026/2027. New, lower multipliers will apply to retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) businesses with RVs below £500,000. Eligibility is decided in line with government rules.
| Multipliers for the financial year 2026 to 2027 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Rateable value | Multiplier |
| Small business (RHL) | Below £51,000 | 38.2p |
| Small business (non-RHL) | Below £51,000 | 43.2p |
| Standard (RHL) | £51,000 to £499,999 | 43p |
| Standard (non-RHL) | £51,000 to £499,999 | 48p |
| Large (all properties) | £500,000 and above | 50.8p |
View changes to the multipliers from 1 April 2026
The new financial year also sees a number of changes and introduction of the new reliefs including.
Find out which business rates exemptions and relief schemes you may be entitled to.
Different organisations have different roles in the business rates system: