Every three years the Valuation Office Agency 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. 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 and the latest revaluation will come into effect from 1 April 2026.
A rateable value isn’t necessarily the same as the amount of rent paid for a property or the level of business rates that it might be liable for. Rateable values are used by local authorities to calculate business rates bills.
Revaluation 2026 – everything you need to know | Valuation Office Agency
The VOA have now released a draft list of the Rating List which shows all proposed Rateable Values effective from 1 April 2026. You can use this tool to find the rateable value of any property in England. If you know your property reference number, which can be found on your Business Rates bill, please select Advanced, Local council reference, to find your property details. From here you can also get an estimate as to what your future business rates bill might be from 1 April 2026. This is only intended to give an indication of what your bill might be and may not take into account any relief you might be eligible for. Further information regarding the support package announced by the government is also available through the link above.
How do I appeal against my Rateable Value?
You can only make a formal appeal against your 2026 Rateable Value once it comes into effect on 1 April 2026. Find out more about the appeals process, including the reforms the Government has proposed.
Your Rateable Value may change if any physical changes are made to your property, for example, building or demolishing an extension. The council has a duty to notify the Valuation Office Agency of any newly built, extended, demolished or otherwise altered non-domestic properties that come to our attention. You should notify the Business Rates team of any changes as soon as they happen.
However some changes, and appeals against the Rateable Value of your property if you think it is incorrect, must be done directly with the VOA. This might be due to a material change in the property's circumstances, for example:
- A change in its physical state or use
- A physical change in the locality
- A change in the use of a neighbouring property
An appeal to the Valuation Office Agency against a Rateable Value begins with a proposal to alter the Rating List. Before making an appeal, you can contact the Valuation Office Agency to discuss your Rateable Value and why you want to appeal against it. They may be able to resolve things without you needing to follow the formal procedure.
There are limits on the backdating of appeals. For more information about appeals, or to view the current Rating List, please visit the Valuation Office Agency website, or contact them by telephone on 03000 501 501.
Having an outstanding appeal against your Rateable Value is not accepted by Magistrates' Courts as grounds for withholding payment so you should continue to make payments on your current bill until you receive a revised bill. Any overpaid rates will be refunded if your appeal is successful.
Last Updated on Wednesday, December 31, 2025