Revaluation 2026
What is Revaluation?
- The Valuation Office Agency updates the rateable values of over 2 million non‑domestic properties in England and Wales.
- Rateable values are based on the rental value of a property on a set date.
- For the 2026 revaluation, the valuation date is 1 April 2024.
- These new rateable values will take effect from April 2026.
Why it matters
- Rateable values are used to calculate your business rates bill.
- A change in rateable value does not always mean the bill will change, because reliefs and multipliers also apply.
Useful links
- Revaluation 2026 - everything you need to know
- Help with the 2026 business rates revaluation
- Estimate your business rates
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.
Business Rates Multipliers 2026/2027
|
Multiplier Type |
Multiplier Rate |
|
Small Business (RV less than £51,000) |
43.2p |
|
Standard (RV between £51,000 and £499,999) |
48.0p |
|
High Value (RV £500,000 and above) |
50.8p |
|
Small Retail / Hospitality / Leisure (RV less than £51,000) |
38.2p |
|
Standard Retail / Hospitality / Leisure (RV between £51,000 and £499,000) |
43.0p |
If you think your rateable value is too high you need to use a business rates valuation account to tell the Valuation Office Agency. You must continue to pay your business rates as normal until they have made a decision.
Be the first to know about changes to your property's valuation for business rates.
Sign up for a Business Rates valuation account
Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) multipliers
From 1 April 2026, two new permanent business rates multipliers will be introduced for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) properties with a rateable value (RV) below £500,000.
The new multipliers are:
- Small Business RHL Multiplier – for properties with an RV under £51,000
- Standard RHL Multiplier – for properties with an RV between £51,000 and £499,999
These new multipliers replace the old RHL Relief Scheme. The key difference is that these rates are ongoing, not temporary.
Properties that qualify for RHL multipliers
A property will get the lower multiplier if it meets two conditions:
i. It is mainly used for retail, hospitality, or leisure, such as:
- Shops that sell goods directly to customers
- Cafés, restaurants, pubs
- Hotels, B&Bs
- Gyms, cinemas, leisure centres
- Visitor attractions
(We base this on how the property is actually used, not the description given by the Valuation Office Agency.)
ii. It has a rateable value below £500,000
Properties That Do Not Qualify for the RHL Multiplier
A property will not qualify if:
- It’s empty (unoccupied).
- It has a rateable value of £500,000 or more.
- Its main use is not retail, hospitality, or leisure — e.g.
How is this different from the old RHL relief?
Previously, RHL support was a temporary discount, such as the 40% relief in 2025–26.
From 2026 onwards, support becomes a permanent lower tax rate, with:
- No cash cap
- No application needed — it will be applied automatically
- Each property in a chain being eligible (as long as its rateable value is below £500,000)
Do I need to apply?
- No. If your property qualifies, we will automatically apply the correct RHL multiplier and it will appear on your bill.
- If the multiplier does not appear on your bill and you believe your property qualifies (mainly retail, hospitality or leisure use, and an RV under £500,000), please contact us.
Guidance on Business Rates Multipliers
Transitional Relief
Transitional Relief limits how much your Business Rates bill can increase each year after a revaluation. Instead of paying the full new amount straight away, increases are phased in gradually.
This helps businesses adjust to higher charges over a three‑year period.
Why has my bill changed?
Your Business Rates bill may change because of:
- A new rateable value set by the Valuation Office Agency
- Changes to multipliers
- Changes to your eligibility for reliefs or discounts
You will only receive Transitional Relief if:
1. Your rateable value has increased due to the 2026 revaluation, and
2. Your bill increases above limits set by the Government.
How much can my bill increase?
The amount your bill is allowed to rise each year depends on your property’s rateable value:
Annual Increase Caps (2026–2029)
| Property Size |
Year 1 2026/2027 |
Year 2 2027/2028 |
Year 3 2028/2029 |
| Small (Rateable Value up to £20,000) | 5% | 10% + CPI* | 25% + CPI |
| Medium (Rateable Value £20,001-£100,000) | 15% | 25% + CPI | 40% + CPI |
| Large (Rateable Value over £100,000) | 30% | 25% + CPI | 25% + CPI |
* Consumer Price Index
By 2028/29, most businesses will be paying the full amount based on their new rateable value.
Do I need to apply?
- No. Transitional Relief is applied automatically if you qualify. and it will show on your bill.
What if I think I should get Transitional Relief but haven’t?
You cannot apply for Transitional Relief — it is set by law and awarded only where eligibility criteria are met.
What about decreases in my rateable value?
If your rateable value drops and your bill falls below the transitional limits, you may lose Transitional Relief.
Will extensions or new property features be covered?
No. Transitional Relief only applies to property features that existed in the previous 2023 Rating List.
Transitional Relief Supplement
Businesses not receiving Transitional Relief (or Supporting Small Business Relief) will have a 1p supplement added to their multiplier for 2026/27.
This funds the Transitional Relief scheme nationally.
Business Rates Relief: Transitional Relief
Transitional Relief Supplement
From 1 April 2026, all business rates bills will show a one‑year charge called the 1p Transitional Relief Supplement, which increases the rates multiplier by 1%.
This will appear on every bill for transparency.
However, if you receive any of the following types of support, you will not have to pay this supplement because it is automatically offset within the relief calculation:
- Transitional Relief
- Supporting Small Business Relief
- Any form of 100% Business Rates relief (e.g., Small Business Rate Relief)
If you receive support through one of these schemes, your bill is already reduced or capped. The supplement will still appear on your bill, but the amount of relief you are awarded increases by the same value, meaning the net amount you pay does not change.
The purpose of the supplement is to help the government fund the Transitional Relief scheme, which limits large increases in business rates following the 2026 revaluation.
Business Rates Relief Guidance and Regulations
Supporting Small Business Relief
Supporting Small Business Relief helps businesses whose rates have increased after the 2026 revaluation because they lost or had a reduction in Small Business Rate Relief, Rural Rate Relief, or 40% Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Relief.
How does it work?
- Your bill increase will be capped at £800 or the Transitional Relief cap, whichever is higher.
- The scheme runs from April 2026 to March 2029.
Who can get Supporting Small Business Relief?
You may qualify if:
- You received Small Business Rate Relief, Rural Rate Relief, or 40% Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Relief in 2025/26.
- Your property’s rateable value increased after the 2026 revaluation.
- Your bill went up by £800 or more compared to last year.
Who cannot get Supporting Small Business Relief?
- Charities or Community Amateur Sport Club with 80% mandatory relief.
- Empty properties.
Other Key Points
- You can still receive this relief if you move to a new property (except for charities/ community amateur sport clubs).
- You can receive this relief on more than one property.
- You can get this relief alongside Small Business Rate Relief.
- Any relief awarded must comply with the UK’s subsidy control rules.
- If it appears that granting the relief would cause you to exceed the Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) limit, the relief will be withheld.
Do I need to apply?
- No – we will apply Supporting Small Business Relief automatically if you qualify, and it will show on your bill.
- If we have not applied any Supporting Small Business Relief to your bill and you think you qualify – because your bill went up by £800 or more compared to last year please contact us.
Small Business Rate Relief
From 27 November 2025, the grace period for keeping Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) after taking on a second property will increase from 1 year to 3 years.
This means:
- If you take on a second property after the 27 November 2025, you will continue to receive Small Business Rate Relief on your original property for up to three years (instead of 12 months).
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charge Points
From 1 April 2026, eligible electric vehicle (EV) charge points and EV‑only forecourts will receive 100% Business Rates Relief for 10 years. If you qualify, we will apply the relief automatically, and it will be shown on your bill.
Relief for Pubs and Live Music Venues
The Government has announced a new package of support to help pubs and live music venues facing rising business costs. From April 2026, eligible properties will receive a 15% reduction on their business rates bill, followed by a two-year real-term freeze.
Who can Benefit?
Pubs
Pubs will qualify for the relief if they:
- Are open to the general public
- Offer free entry (except for occasional entertainment)
- Allow customers to drink without having to buy food
- Sell drinks over the bar
This relief does not apply to restaurants, cafés, nightclubs, hotels, guesthouses, theatres, cinemas, museums, or similar venues.
Live Music Venues
To qualify, a venue must:
- Be used wholly or mainly for live music performances for an audience
- Host other activities (such as selling food or drink) only when they are incidental and do not change its primary purpose
Venues that operate mainly as nightclubs or theatres will not qualify.
Do I need to apply?
- No – we will apply this relief automatically if you qualify, and it will show on your bill.