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.
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 does set the tone for future liability. For large portfolios, even minor discrepancies across multiple hereditaments can have significant financial implications.
This early visibility provides a valuable opportunity for occupiers to review their position, model the potential impact and identify where clarification may be needed once the new list is live.
The 2026 Revaluation will reflect a very different rental market from the previous cycle. With valuations based on April 2024 rents, they are expected to capture the effects of post-pandemic market shifts, inflationary pressure and changes in demand across key sectors.
For many organisations, the 2026 Draft List will look markedly different from the 2023 figures. The key is to evaluate the overall estate picture, not individual sites in isolation.
Once the new Rating List takes effect in April 2026, rates liabilities will adjust accordingly. At that point, opportunities to validate or understand valuations may narrow, particularly where supporting data is incomplete or outdated.
Early preparation offers three main benefits:
Fragmented datasets remain one of the most common challenges in rates management. A centralised approach supports consistency, transparency and informed internal planning.
The Draft List period is an ideal time to ensure estate data is complete and reliable. Key actions include:
Completing this groundwork before the Draft List release allows estates and finance teams to act quickly once figures are published, avoiding last-minute reviews during the busiest phase of revaluation.
Modern estates teams increasingly rely on rating intelligence software to provide a structured, data-led approach to revaluation planning.
These systems bring all hereditament information, historical valuations and Draft List updates into a single environment, allowing users to:
Such tools are designed to support professional processes by improving data accuracy and visibility. They enable better decision-making but do not replace formal advice or representation in rating matters.
When the Draft Rating List transitions to the live list on 1 April 2026, organisations that have already validated their rating data and modelled exposure across their estate will be in a stronger position to forecast and manage liabilities with assurance.
Preparedness, transparency and robust, reliable data remain central to effective business rates planning.
The 2026 Draft Rating List is more than a preview of new rateable values. It is an early opportunity for organisations to review hereditament data, anticipate change and ensure budgets reflect the most accurate position possible.
With greater emphasis now placed on readiness and data integrity, teams that prepare early will be better equipped to manage exposure with confidence.
Learn more about how our solutions help organisations improve rating accuracy and confidence. Visit our services page or call 0161 669 8165 to find out more about how we can support your team.
