The VOA regularly reassess and update the rateable values of all business properties usually every five years. This is called a Revaluation.

This is done to maintain fairness in the system by redistributing the total amount payable in business rates, reflecting changes in the property market. Revaluation does not raise extra revenue overall.

From the 1 April 2023, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is updating the rateable value of all business properties.

Revaluation 2023

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's 1 April 2021. We use these rateable values to calculate business rates bills.

Revaluations are done to reflect changes in the property market, which means that business rates bills are based on more up-to-date information. The next revaluation comes into effect on 1 April 2023.

Tell the Valuation Office Agency

Although Warrington BC are responsible for anything to do with your business rates bill, the VOA is responsible for the valuation of your property. You will need to contact them for all queries about your rateable value:

• Find the future rateable value for your property and get an estimate of your 2023/24 business rates bill
• Changes to 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. Sign in or register for a business rates valuation account
• If you think your rateable value is too high - from 1 April 2023 you need to use a business rates valuation account to tell the VOA. You must continue to pay your business rates as normal until they have made a decision. Sign in or register for a business rates valuation account ready for 1 April 2023.

How Covid-19 affected future rateable values

Most rateable values are based 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.

You can also estimate your business rates bill, including any small business rate relief the local council may apply.

Changes to your bill as a result of other reasons (such as changes to the amount of small business rate relief) are not covered by the transitional arrangements. The transitional arrangements are applied automatically and are shown on the front of your bill.

If you require more information please contact the team by email or on the number above or email us at: businessrates@warrington.gov.uk

Transitional Arrangements

Property values normally change a good deal between each revaluation. Transitional arrangements help to phase in the effects of these changes by limiting the amount by which a bill may rise following a revaluation.

To help pay for limits on increases in bills after a revaluation, there also have to be limits on reductions in bills. Under the transition scheme, limits continue to apply to yearly increases and decreases until the full amount is due (rateable value times the multiplier).

The scheme applies only to the bill based on a property at the time of the revaluation. If there are any changes to the property after the revaluation date, transitional arrangements will not normally apply to the part of a bill that applies to any increase in rateable value due to those changes.

From April 2023, transitional relief will apply to those who are moving to higher bills.

• Small property size is a 2023 rateable value of less than £20,000 outside London
• Medium property size is a 2023 rateable value of less than £100,000
• Large property size is a 2023 rateable value above £100,000

There are limits on how much your rates can increase or decrease.

The council will automatically calculate any transitional arrangement against your Business Rates bill - there is no need to apply for it.