Business rates overview

What is a revaluation?

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) regularly updates the rateable values (RV) of all business and other non-domestic properties in England and Wales to reflect changes in the property market. This is called a ‘revaluation’. The next revaluation is due to come into effect on 1 April 2026, this will be based on rental values of 1 April 2024.

If you believe your RV is incorrect, please do the following:

• Check – review and confirm the facts about your property: 
  • Find and check your business rates valuation (GOV.UK)
• Challenge – once the facts are established, explain why you believe your valuation is wrong. Explanation of process: 
  • Rating list 2026: check, challenge and appeal (GOV.UK)

What is transitional relief?

If your rateable value has increased following a revaluation, you may be entitled to transitional relief,  this should have already been applied to your bill. However, if you believe if it has not, please contact our business rates team: Business rates contact form

What is a multiplier?

The multiplier is the number your rateable value (RV) is multiplied by to get your charge. Currently, the following multipliers are in place:

• Standard business multiplier
• Small business multiplier – for properties with a rateable value below £51,000

This system will change from 1 April 2026 (see below).

What changes can I expect to business rates multipliers?

From 1 April 2026, the system will expand to five multipliers. These will reflect both business type and property value. The five new multipliers will apply as follows:

• Small business retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) multiplier 38.2p: RHL businesses with RV below £51,000
• Small business multiplier 43.2p: Non-RHL businesses with RV below £51,000
• Standard RHL multiplier 43.0p: RHL businesses with RV between £51,000 and £499,999
• Standard multiplier 48.0p: Non-RHL businesses with RV between £51,000 and £499,999
• Large property multiplier 50.8p: For all properties with RV of £500,000 and above 

For 2026/27 in England there is also a 1p supplement on each multiplier for 1 year only – Transitional Relief Supplement – this is applied to every bill for this financial year. However, it is then removed within the relief award apart from those that don’t qualify for transitional relief or supporting small business (SSB) relief .

If you believe you have been allocated the wrong multiplier, please contact the business rates team with supporting evidence: Business rates contact form

Will relief still be available for retail, hospitality and leisure?

As of 1 April 2026, this scheme is no longer in operation. Instead, the government has put in place two multipliers specifically for the retail industry.

Will relief still be available for small businesses?

Yes.

Supporting Small Business (SSB) Relief 2023

The supporting SSB relief 2023 was due to end on 31 March 2026, because of the revaluation of the local list. However, the Government have extended this scheme for another year.

This will limit the increase in your charge for 2026/2027 to an additional £600.00 in comparison to your 2025/2026 bill. 

This would have automatically been applied to your 2026/2027 annual bill. However, should you believe this has not been awarded, please contact us: Business rates contact form

SSB relief 2026

This scheme is similar to SSB relief 2023 in that it’s to assist customers that as a result of the new 2026 revaluation who have lost part or all of their Small Business Rates Relief, Rural Relief or Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief.

This will limit the increase in your charge for 2026/2027 to an additional £800.00 in comparison to your 2025/2026 bill.

Assessments must be occupied; however, Charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs are not eligible for this scheme.

This would have automatically been applied to your 2026/2027 annual bill. However, should you believe this has not been awarded, please contact the business rates team: Business rates contact form

Small Business Rates Relief

If you (as a person or a company) occupy a single business rates property in England with a rateable value below £15,000, you may be entitled to a reduction of up to 100% in your business rates.

Is relief available for pubs and music venues?

Yes. Pubs and Music Venues Business Rates Relief is a 15% business rates relief for eligible pubs and live music venues in England for the 2026/27 financial year (no cap on relief provided).

Individual reliefs over £100,000 must be reported on the UK Subsidy Database.

Changes in future years

Pubs and Music Venues (PMV) Business Rates Relief will change in future years: Eligible properties’ bills will be frozen in real terms in 2027/28 and 2028/29 (separate guidance will follow for those years)

For more information on this relief, please visit local authority guidance on public and music venues relief (gov.uk)

How do I pay business rates via instalments?

Payment of business rates bills is automatically set on a 10-monthly cycle. However, the government has put in place regulations that allow ratepayers to request their local authority to enable payments to be made through 12-monthly instalments. If you wish to take up this offer, you should contact the business rates team, using the details on your bill.

Is direct debit available?

Payments are due the first of each month. Should you require a different date, you would need to set up a direct debit. 

If I move outside of or inside of the area, what information would you need?

For the property the business is moving in to, we will need:

• The address
• Name of occupier
• Who is the caller in connection to the new occupier
• Trade status: sole trader / partnership / limited company with registration number
• Occupancy type: owner or tenant
  • If tenant:
    • Owner / agent's details
    • Date tenancy commenced
  • If owner:
    • Date of purchase
• Was the property empty prior to your occupancy
• Date your stocks or goods moved in
• Correspondence address
• Telephone number
• Email address
• Type of business
• Whether you are already registered at another address for non-domestic rates and if so are you still there or have you since vacated

For the property the business is moving out of, we will need:

• The address
• Name of occupier
• Who is the caller in connection to the new occupier
• Occupancy type: owner or tenant
  • If tenant:
    • Date lease ends
    • Name of owner
    • Correspondence address for owner
  • If owner:
    • Date sale completed
    • Name of new owner
    • Correspondence address for new owner
• Date your stocks or goods moved out
• Forwarding address
• Telephone number still correct
• Email address still correct

Please get in touch via our contact form: Business rates contact form

Last updated: 10/03/2026 16:32