Rateable Value
Every five years, the Valuation Office Agency is required by law to re-value every business premises in the country. The purpose of the revaluation is not to change the amount of money collected in rates nationally, but to make sure that the individual rateable values reflect the changes that have taken place in the property market since the last revaluation.
Depending on which Rating List the Valuation Office is creating or amending, a different valuation date will be used. Please see the table below for clarification.
Rating List | Period List is in force | Valuation date |
2010 2005 2000 1995 1990 | 1st April 2010 – 31st March 2015 1st April 2005 – 31st March 2010 1st April 2000 – 31st March 2005 1st April 1995 – 31st March 2000 1st April 1990 – 31st March 1995 | 1st April 2008 1st April 2003 1st April 1998 1st April 1993 1st April 1988 |
The revaluation can often lead to large increases or decreases in Rateable Values as rental prices can often change in a 5-year period. Even though your Rateable Value may have increased, it does not necessarily mean that your bill will increase. The amount of Rates payable is dependant on the multipliers that the Government tells us to apply when calculating Rates bills.
Even if the new Rateable Value of your property has resulted in a large increase in your bill, you may still get the benefit of a transitional adjustment, which may cushion the impact of the increase. This is explained in the Am I entitled to any Relief? section.
Your current rateable value represents a professional assessment of the annual rent of a property, as if it was available to let on the open market as at 1st April 2003. Your rateable value for the five year period commencing 1st April 2010 is based on a similar assessment as at 1st April 2008. The Valuation Office gathers as much evidence as possible about actual rents paid for properties in order to determine appropriate rental values.
The rateable value of any property in Sheffield can be inspected at Howden House on Union Street close to the City Centre and on the Valuation Office Agency website.
When can a Rateable Value be changed?
The rateable value of a property may be changed for a number of reasons. Your premises may alter in size as a result of an extension or other alteration, the use of your premises may change or you may appeal against the assessment following a revaluation.
In addition, you may combine your premises with next door or you may split it into two or more units.
If you believe that your rateable value is too high or you have need to change the assessment of your property, you must contact the Valuation Office. Details regarding how to appeal are on the Valuation Office Agency website.