What should you check on your business rates bill?
You do not need to understand every rating rule to spot information worth checking. Start with the property and the bill you actually received.
Six checks worth making
- Property and occupier: Does the bill relate to the correct premises, ratepayer and dates of occupation?
- Rateable value: Compare the figure with the official VOA property record. A rateable value is not the amount of tax due.
- Multiplier: Check the relevant 2026/27 multiplier, including whether the property genuinely qualifies for a retail, hospitality or leisure multiplier.
- Reliefs: Look for Small Business Rates Relief, charitable relief or other appropriate support. Not every business qualifies.
- Adjustments: Transitional Relief, Supporting Small Business Relief and supplements can explain differences from a simple calculation.
- Periods and payments: Check the liability period, instalment schedule and any recent changes or credits.
A mismatch is a prompt to check, not proof of an error
Online calculators often show a headline charge. A real bill may include reliefs, partial-year occupation or other adjustments. If your calculation differs, contact the billing authority first to understand the reason.
Free routes before paid help
The council is the correct starting point for liability, reliefs and bills. The Valuation Office Agency handles rateable values and rating list matters. You can use the official channels without paying an agent. Where an issue needs specialist valuation advice, do not treat an administrative enquiry as a substitute for a qualified professional assessment.
What if you do not have the bill?
You can still start the RatesAngel Health Check with the address, postcode and published rateable value. If you later want our help with the actual bill, we will explain how to provide the relevant details securely. Do not upload a full rates bill through the public enquiry form.
Official starting points
Start with a free property check.
See which details may need attention. If fixed-fee help is appropriate, you can enquire without paying anything upfront.