2. How your rates are calculated
England and Wales
Business rates are worked out by multiplying the ‘rateable value’ of your property (set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA)) by the business rates multiplier (set by central government).
VOA may send you a request for rental information about your property so they can work out its rateable value. You can either:
- provide your rental information online
- send it by post – contact your local VOA office and ask for form VO6003, or form VO6005 if you need to send additional information
Contact VOA if you need more time to send in your rental information.
VOA
rental-information-request@voa.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone (England): 0300 050 1501
Telephone (Wales): 0300 050 5505
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Scotland
Business rates are worked out using the rateable value set by the local assessor and the ‘poundage rate’ (a proportion of your rateable value) set by the Scottish Government.
The rateable value of a property is based on its estimated open market rental value on a specific date.
You may pay less than this if you’re eligible for any reliefs.
If you think your rates are wrong
Contact VOA if you’re in England or Wales.
VOA
Telephone (England): 03000 501 501
Telephone (Wales): 03000 505 505
Find out about call charges
Contact your local assessor if you’re in Scotland – you can look them up on the Scottish Assessors Association website.
