UK-wide

Challenging your business rates and revaluation

How to challenge your rateable value through the Check, Challenge, Appeal process, understand revaluation cycles across UK nations, and manage your business rates payments.

Guide summary

Check your rateable value on the Valuation Office Agency website (England and Wales), Scottish Assessors, or LPS (Northern Ireland). If you think it is too high, you can challenge it through the Check, Challenge, Appeal process. You must keep paying your business rates while you challenge. If you win, you will get a refund back to when you started.

  • Check your rateable value on the VOA website (England/Wales)
  • Submit your challenge within 4 months of completing the Check stage
  • Keep paying your business rates during the challenge process
  • Apply for relief schemes from your local council
  • Set up Direct Debit to avoid missed payments and penalties
  • Plan for revaluation every 3 years (next list due 2029)
  • Hire a rating surveyor for complex cases (no win, no fee possible)
  • Late payment can lead to court summons and £70-£150 costs
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Related guides in Tax & Finance

Challenging your rateable value

If you believe your property's rateable value is too high, you can challenge it. The process is called 'Check, Challenge, Appeal' in England and Wales, with similar processes in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Revaluation cycles

Rateable values are periodically updated through revaluations to reflect changes in the property rental market. This ensures rates bills are based on current market values.

Paying your business rates

Business rates are collected by your local council (billing authority). You'll receive a rates bill in February or March each year for the following tax year (April to March).

Payment options:

  • Monthly instalments: Usually 10 monthly payments from April to January
  • Annual payment: Pay in full, sometimes with a small discount
  • Direct Debit: Most councils offer Direct Debit (recommended to avoid missed payments)

Late payment consequences:

  • Reminder notice after missed payment
  • Loss of instalment rights after second missed payment (full amount becomes due)
  • Court summons and liability for court costs (£70-£150)
  • Bailiff action to seize goods
  • Bankruptcy proceedings for persistent non-payment
  1. 1

    Check your rateable value

    Look up your property on the VOA website (England/Wales), Scottish Assessors (Scotland), or LPS (Northern Ireland).

  2. 2

    Calculate your rates bill

    Multiply your rateable value by the appropriate multiplier for your nation and property size.

  3. 3

    Apply for relief schemes

    Contact your local billing authority to claim small business relief, RHL relief, or other applicable schemes.

  4. 4

    Set up Direct Debit

    Arrange monthly Direct Debit payments to avoid missing deadlines and facing penalties.

  5. 5

    Challenge your valuation if incorrect

    Use the Check, Challenge, Appeal process if you believe your rateable value is too high.

  6. 6

    Plan for revaluation changes

    Check if your property is due for revaluation and budget for potential increases (or decreases) in rateable value.