From 1 April 2026, there are changes to business rates in England. Key changes are summarised below. Our website will be updated early in 2026, please continue to check for further updates.
What's Changing?
- Tiered Multipliers: A change from the current 2 multipliers to 5. Different multipliers will apply based on property value and type
- Permanent Relief: Most retail, hospitality, and leisure properties will benefit from reduced rates through 2 new multipliers
- Revaluation: The Valuation Office Agency are responsible for setting all rateable values (RV). These are updated every 3 years. The new rating list for businesses comes into effect on 1 April 2026
- Transitional Relief: Caps will limit how much bills can rise each year after the 2026 revaluation
New Multipliers from April 2026
The multiplier is used to calculate your bill. For every hereditament (property and/or land) the basic bill is calculated by multiplying the RV by the multiplier.
| Multiplier Type | Multiplier Rate |
| Small Business (RV less than £51,000) |
43.2p |
| Standard (RV between £51,000 and £499,000) |
48.0p |
| Small Retail/Hospitality/Leisure (RV between £51,000) |
38.2p |
| Standard Retail/Hospitality/Leisure (RV between £51,000 and £499,000) |
43.0p |
| High Value (RV between £500,000 and above) |
50.8p |
2026 Revaluation
Every three years, business rates are updated based on rental values. The next revaluation takes effect on 1 April 2026, using rental market data from April 2024.
Transitional Relief Caps
To limit sudden increases in bills, a new transitional relief scheme is being introduced from 1 April 2026. The following table shows how increases will be phased in over the next 3 years.
| RV Band | Year 1 (2026-27) | Year 2 (2027-28) | Year 3 (2028-29) |
| Below £20,000 | 5% | 10% + CPI* | 25% + CPI |
| Between £20,000 and £100,000 | 15% | 25% + CPI | 40% + CPI |
| Over £100,000 | 30% | 25% + CPI | 25% + CPI |
*Consumer Price Index
Support for Small Businesses
Increases for businesses losing some or all of their Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief will be capped from 1 April 2026. Increases will be capped at £800 or the relevant transitional relief cap, whichever is the higher.
The 2026 Supporting Small Business Relief scheme has been extended. It now also includes ratepayers losing their Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief.
Also, the government has confirmed a one-year extension of the 2023 Supporting Small Business scheme. This takes effect from 1 April 2026.
In addition, the period for keeping Small Business Rates Relief on an original property after moving into a second property will increase from 1 year to 3 years.