The government introduced a new transitional scheme from 1 April 2026 following the national revaluation of all non-domestic properties.
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), HMRC, carried out a national Revaluation of all Business Rateable Values (RV) that came into effect from 1 April 2026.
The rateable value is based on rental values so if rents have increased above inflation since the last revaluation, rates will likely go up. If rents have decreased after inflation, rates will likely go down.
The VOA assess rents across a sector. If you think the rateable value is wrong, please contact the VOA.
The amount a bill can go up following revaluation is limited each year under the Government Transitional Scheme.
The limits are based on your rateable value. The maximum transition increase percentage, “upwards caps” will be 5%, 15% and 30% respectively for small properties (RV up to £20,000), medium properties (RV between £20,001 and £100,000) and large properties (RV greater than £100,000)
Maximum business rate transitional increase percentage is dependent on the rateable value at 31 March 2026 x the relevant multiplier for that property (not necessary what the charge was in 2025/2026).
Properties with reductions in rateable values from the 2026 revaluation will see the full benefit of that reduction in their new Business Rates Bill from 1 April 2026.
For more information see www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief/transitional-relief.
If your rateable value is under £15,000 you may be entitled to small business rate relief. Visit www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief/small-business-rate-relief for more information.
Increases in your rateable value for any reason, other than due to the revaluation, are not subject to transition.
In certain circumstances, the rateable values used for transition can be different from the actual rateable values in force.
Contact the team directly on 01773 841444 or email nndr@ambervalley.gov.uk
