Rateable value

The VOA sets the rateable value of business premises by using property details such as rental information.

We use the rateable value and the business rates multiplier (set by central government) to calculate your business rates bill.

The rateable value is assessed by the Valuation Office Agency, 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.

• Until 31 March 2017, the rateable values will be based on a valuation date of 1 April 2008.
• From 1 April 2017, the rateable values will be based on the valuation date of 1 April 2015.
• From 1 April 2023 the rateable value will be based on the valuation date of 1 April 2021

Appeals

You should first contact the Valuation Office Agency to check your Rateable value at gov.uk/voa/valuation

If you still think this is incorrect you can challenge the decision and provide supporting evidence from the website.

Council Tax and business rates scams

The VOA have published some advice for people wanting to challenge their Council Tax band or Non-domestic rates Rateable value. Published online it gives some examples of the types of scams a fraudulent agent may use and how to avoid them.

Self Catering properties

How self-catering properties are assessed

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for maintaining the Council Tax and non-domestic rating (business rates) lists. The Local Authority (LA) use these lists to determine whether a property is eligible for Council Tax or Business Rates.

The government determines the criteria for whether a self-catering property is eligible for business rates. The VOA makes its decisions based on this policy.

There are other policies that may affect how much you pay, for example, if the property is a second home, you may pay a premium on top of the standard amount.  There are several ways the VOA maintains self-catering properties on the Council Tax and business rates lists:

• responding to information proactively provided by customers – for example, when they know they have met the letting criteria for business rates
• three-yearly requests for information, to inform a revaluation of all business rates properties
• The VOA has updated its guidance on GOV.UK, making it easier to understand the criteria for a property to be valued for business rates. It now includes:
• more information on the eligibility criteria
• what happens when a property isn’t available for letting (for example, when works are carried out)
• further information on areas where the VOA has had customer questions
• a new form to be used when a property is currently valued as domestic but now meets the criteria to be valued for business rates.

Frequently asked questions

I purchased a property which I think qualifies for business rates, but is in the Council Tax list - what form do I use?

A: Go to GOV.UK and search ‘application for business rates form for self-catering properties’.

I think I’m going to be eligible for business rates soon, what should I do?

A: Contact the VOA when you have met the criteria.

Where can I find out more information on the criteria for my self-catering property to pay business rates?

A: Go to GOV.UK and search ‘application for business rates form for self-catering properties’.

My self-catering property is going to be my/someone else’s sole/main residence – who do I contact?

A: Contact your LA, who will inform the VOA.