Business rates

How much and who pays?

Who is liable for business rates and how we calculate your bill using the VOA multiplier.

Ways to pay

There are a number of options for you to choose from to pay your business rates.

Register for business rates or change your address

How to tell us about a change of business address so we can amend your business rates account.

Explanatory notes from the government

Information from the government to explain business rates.

What happens to the rates I pay?

Business rates payments contribute towards the cost of local services.

Business rates reductions

There are several different circumstances in which business rate reductions or relief apply.

Business rates appeals

If you believe your rateable value is not correct you should contact the VOA to make an appeal.

What happens if I don't pay?

What happens if you don't pay a business rate instalment at the correct time.

Contact us about business rates

Ways to contact us about business rates and links to business rates forms.

Business Improvement District (BID)

The BIDS provide services in addition to the services provided by the council.

Business rates revaluation 2023

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has updated the rateable values of all business and other non-domestic properties in England and Wales from 1^st April 2023. This is called a revaluation.

Rateable values are the amount of rent a property could have been let for on a set valuation date, which for the 2023 valuation was 1 April 2021.

The next revaluation will come into effect on 1 April 2026

Contacting the Valuation Office Agency

The VOA is responsible for the valuation of your property. You can contact the VOA for all queries about your rateable value.

Their email address is: ratinglondon@voa.gov.uk

Finding your rateable value

You can see how the rateable value for your property has been calculated. You can do this by using the find a business rates valuation tool on the GOV.UK website.

2023 to 2024 Business rate multipliers

Small business rate multiplier: 49.9 pence in the pound.

Standard rate multiplier: 51.2 pence in the pound.

Crossrail business rate supplement (BRS) - 2023 to 2024

For properties with a rateable value of more than £75,000, the GLA has levied a business rate supplement of 2p per pound of rateable value to contribute towards the cost of Crossrail. For more information visit, paying for Crossrail: business rate supplement.

Rating advisers

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is urging businesses to protect themselves from rogue business rates agents.

New rateable values for business properties came into effect in April 2023. Councils used these new values to calculate business rates bills.

Businesses can challenge their valuation if they think it's incorrect and can use a rating agent do this. The vast majority of agents are reputable and provide a good service. But some rogue agents submit inaccurate information. This could result in penalties or increased rates bills for businesses.

Businesses can manage their own business rates by creating a Business Rates Valuation Account on GOV.UK. The VOA has produced a checklist to help businesses if they want to use a business rates agent. Businesses are encouraged to visit GOV.UK for more advice on how to choose a reputable agent.

Want to know more?

For more information visit the business rates section on GOV.UK or contact us about business rates.

View rateable values on the GOV.UK website.