Rateable value
Every commercial property has a rateable value determined by the Valuation Office. The rateable value is a professional view of the annual rent for a property if it were available, vacant and to let on the open market. Rateable values are based on market rents at an earlier valuation date (“the antecedent date”) - a date specified by the government.
Statute prescribes the frequency for which rateable values are re-valued so that the values in the Local Rating List are kept up to date. The valuation date for the current rating list is 1 April 2021 which came into effect on 1 April 2023.
See further details on the Revaluation page.
If you want to find out how your Rateable Value has been worked out, please go to How business rates are calculated.
Find out the rateable value of a property
You can find out the rateable value of any business premises in a local authority area and see how it compares to other similar premises by postcode via the Valuation Office.
What to do if your rateable value is wrong
If you believe the rateable value, description or size of the property is wrong you need to appeal to the VOA
New builds and properties under construction
If your property is under construction or newly built, it may not have been assessed for local taxation purposes. If it is an existing property that is being converted or demolished and you want the rateable value reduced or the property removed from the rating list, please contact the Valuation Office.
If the works are complete and it is a new property you will need to provide details of the new property e.g. plans, dates etc, as well as your contact details to Harrow Council. You can do this by posting the documents to Harrow Council, Business Rate Office, PO Box 731, Harrow HA3 3RG.
2017 Rating List Appeals
The 2017 non-domestic rating list closed for appeals on 31 March 2023.
As the 2017 rating list is now closed, there are only limited circumstances in which further amendments may be made to it. These are:
- Following outstanding Checks submitted prior to 1 April 2023 and any subsequent challenges and appeals.
- The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) may alter the 2017 list up to 31 March 2024. This allows the VOA time to clear existing any cases/reports and enables Local Authorities to submit reports that have a retrospective element regarding the 2017 list. If the VOA makes any alterations to the 2017 list, they will advise the customer of their right to make a Check within 6 months of the date of the alteration.
- After 31 March 2024, the 2017 list may only be altered as a consequence of a challenge or appeal.
A Business Ratepayer can, however, continue to make a check against the 2023 rating list using the VOA check, challenge, appeal process.