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Business rates are calculated using the rateable value of your property, set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). These valuations are based on property details such as size, layout and use. While the process is designed to be accurate, small errors or outdated information can lead to businesses paying more than they should.    Why valuation errors happen  Valuations are often based on historic data. Over time, changes such as refurbishments, partial occupations or alterations to the property may not be fully reflected in the rating list. Even small discrepancies in floor area or use can affect the rateable value and, in turn, the amount billed by the council.  In some cases, changes to a property may have been reported but not updated correctly in the system. When managing multiple sites, it can be difficult to identify where and when these differences have occurred.    The impact of small errors  A modest difference in valuation can seem insignificant at first, but when multiplied across financial years, it can result in thousands of pounds in overpaid rates. For larger portfolios, the...

Duty to Notify is one of the most significant recent changes to the rating system. It requires ratepayers to inform the VOA about relevant changes to hereditaments in a timely and accurate way. For agents, that means new responsibilities in how client portfolios are managed. At first glance, Duty to Notify may seem straightforward. In practice, it creates risks if hereditament data is incomplete, inconsistent or out of date.   Why accuracy is critical Compliance Submitting incorrect or missing information can still be treated as a failure to notify. Even if the error was unintentional, penalties may apply and reputational damage can follow. Coverage Changes in tenancy, occupation or physical alterations must all be captured. If records are not kept current, required notifications may be overlooked, creating compliance risk. Trust Clients want confidence that their obligations are being managed properly. Accurate data helps demonstrate that compliance is under control and that nothing important has been missed. Evidence Directors, compliance officers and regulators will often want to see not only the result but the process behind it. A clear audit trail...

Businesses are now preparing for the forthcoming 2026 Revaluation. The publication of the Draft Rating List will mark a key moment, providing the first indication of how revised valuations may influence upcoming rates bills and budgeting decisions.  Expected to be published by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) before the end of November 2025, the Draft List will outline proposed rateable values (RVs) for every hereditament in England and Wales, effective from 1 April 2026.  For many estates and finance teams, the publication marks the beginning of a short but crucial window: a chance to review valuations, check data accuracy and understand where liabilities might increase or decrease ahead of the 2026 Rating List going live.    Understanding the Draft Rating List  The Draft Rating List represents the VOA’s provisional valuations for each hereditament, based on rental values as at 1 April 2024.  It offers early visibility of changes and allows ratepayers to verify that the underlying data used to calculate those values, such as floor areas, property use and occupancy, is correct.  The Draft List is not final, but it...

The Expanded Retail Discount (ERD) was introduced to support the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors through a period of economic challenge. While it has provided valuable relief to many organisations, changes over time have made it difficult to track when and how it applies. Because ERD is applied by local authorities, businesses often assume it will be added automatically. In practice, small errors or timing gaps can mean some properties do not receive the full benefit.   What ERD covers ERD provides a percentage reduction on business rates for premises used mainly for retail, hospitality or leisure purposes. It has evolved from the original Retail Discount introduced in 2019, with varying levels of support across financial years. Recent years have seen discounts ranging from 50% to 75%, capped at £110,000 per business. Each update has required councils to revise their systems, sometimes leading to missed or delayed applications.   Why timelines matter Reliefs such as ERD can usually be corrected retrospectively, but only within set time limits under the Limitation Act. If a missed application is not identified in time,...

As the 2026 Business Rates Revaluation approaches, accuracy and visibility are more important than ever. Whether you’re advising clients, managing a large portfolio, or overseeing rates compliance, the risk of missed Rateable Value (RV) changes remains one of the most persistent challenges in the industry. What might start as a small data gap, such as a missed valuation adjustment or a delay in an update reaching finance, can quickly translate into lost savings, inaccurate forecasts, and even reputational risk. How missed opportunities happen Despite significant progress in digitisation, many rating and property teams still rely on manual checks and spreadsheet-heavy workflows to track VOA updates. These processes make it easy for small changes to slip through, especially when teams are spread across multiple sites or business units. Some of the most common causes include: Manual tracking of valuation updates that’s prone to human error Delayed or inconsistent communication between departments Fragmented data sources without a central audit trail Limited visibility of historical valuations and list transitions When these issues overlap, it becomes almost impossible to guarantee that every hereditament is...