Businesses across England and Wales are facing significant increases in Business Rates from 1 April 2026, following the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) latest revaluation.
For many occupiers — including retailers, pubs, offices, industrial units, warehouses, healthcare providers and landlords — these increases are based on Rateable Values that were already overstated, placing further strain on cashflow during an already challenging economic climate.
The important facts:
- There is still time to challenge your valuation
- You can reclaim overpaid Business Rates
- You can reduce your liability for future years
But you must act before 31 March 2026.
Why Business Rates Are Increasing in 2026
The VOA has now published new Rateable Values that will take effect from 1 April 2026 and remain in place for at least three years.
These valuations are intended to reflect rental levels — but in practice, many are:
- Based on historic or inflated rental assumptions
- Inconsistent with comparable properties nearby
- Incorrect due to measurement, use or condition errors
- Unadjusted for changes in trading circumstances
For thousands of businesses, this means a sharp rise in annual rates bills unless challenged.
What Is a Rateable Value — and Why Does It Matter?
Your Rateable Value (RV) is set by the VOA and determines how much Business Rates you pay each year.
If your RV is too high, you’re:
- Paying more tax than legally required
- Locking in higher costs for years
- Damaging cashflow unnecessarily
Even small reductions can equate to thousands of pounds saved annually.
Final Opportunity to Reclaim Overpaid Business Rates
Under the Check, Challenge, Appeal process, businesses can still:
- Dispute their current Rateable Value
- Reclaim overpaid Business Rates going back up to 3 years
- Recover earlier overpayments where errors are identified
For many occupiers, this has resulted in substantial refunds — often tens of thousands of pounds — paid directly back to the business.
Business Rates Appeal Deadline: 31 March 2026
This date is critical.
31 March 2026 is the statutory deadline to challenge the 2023 Rating List.
After this:
- Your right to reclaim historic overpayments is lost
- Excess payments are permanently forfeited
- Higher 2026 Rateable Values become locked in
Doing nothing could cost your business far more than acting now.
Why So Many Properties Are Overvalued?
We regularly identify savings due to:
- Incorrect floor area measurements
- Misclassified use or layout
- Physical changes not reflected by the VOA
- Over‑reliance on “tone of the list” rents
- Comparable properties successfully reduced nearby
Many occupiers assume the valuation must be correct — in reality, errors are extremely common.
Proven Business Rates Reductions Across All Sectors
At Corporate Commercial Surveyors, we specialise exclusively in Business Rates appeals across England & Wales.
- Hundreds of successful reductions
- Average savings of 25%
- Over £5 million reclaimed for clients
Even if you’ve been through the Check Challenge Appeal process before, updated rental evidence and new case law may allow a fresh reduction.
How Reducing Business Rates Helps Your Cashflow
A successful appeal can:
- Reduce your ongoing monthly payments
- Generate a lump‑sum refund
- Offset rising costs like NI, wages and energy
- Improve business stability and planning
At a time when margins are tight, this is often one of the fastest ways to release cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reclaim overpaid Business Rates?
Yes. If your property has been overvalued, you can reclaim overpayments — usually up to 3 years, sometimes more where errors exist.
What is the deadline to appeal Business Rates?
You must challenge the 2023 Rating List by 31 March 2026.
Which businesses are affected?
All sectors across England and Wales, including retail, hospitality, offices, industrial, healthcare, education and leisure.
Act Now Before Higher Rates Are Locked In
If your Business Rates feel too high, they probably are.
Final Word
Business Rates are simply another form of taxation — and overpaying is optional if you act in time.
With the 31 March 2026 deadline approaching, the cost of doing nothing has never been higher.
