As the next revaluation approaches, many pub operators and managing agents are looking ahead to 2026 and asking what changes to business rates may lie ahead. With ongoing discussion around reliefs and costs, it can be difficult to separate confirmed changes from uncertainty.
One element that is confirmed is the revaluation itself. Understanding what this process involves and how it may affect pubs can help provide clarity as businesses plan for the years ahead.
From April 2026, all non-domestic properties will move onto new rateable values following the next revaluation. These values are intended to reflect changes in rental markets since the current list and are based on evidence available at the valuation date.
For pubs, this means rateable values may increase, decrease or remain broadly similar depending on location, property characteristics, and local market conditions. The outcome is assessed on a property by property basis rather than applied uniformly across the sector.
Many pubs currently benefit from temporary reliefs that reduce the amount of business rates payable. These reliefs provide important support, but they are reviewed on a year-by-year basis and are not permanent features of the rating system.
Because of this, the amount paid today may not reflect the full underlying liability of a property. Understanding the rateable value beneath any reliefs helps provide context when bills change or when future arrangements are announced.
When revaluation and changes to reliefs occur within a similar timeframe, it can be difficult to understand what is driving a change in a rates bill. Having clarity on which elements relate to valuation and which relate to temporary support helps avoid confusion and supports better planning.
This is particularly important for pubs operating across multiple sites, or for agents managing portfolios on behalf of clients.
Business rates are one of the largest fixed property costs many pubs face, yet historic bills are often accepted without detailed review. Over time, discrepancies relating to property details, valuation assumptions, or the application of reliefs can remain unnoticed.
Regular independent reviews provide reassurance that past liabilities have been checked thoroughly and that charges align with the rules in place at the time. Where overpayments are identified, it may be possible to seek corrections, subject to the relevant statutory time limits.
Inform specialises in reviewing historic business rates bills for pubs and other commercial properties. Our audits focus on accuracy, evidence and reassurance, helping organisations understand their historic position and interpret future changes with confidence.
If you are a pub operator or an agent managing pub portfolios and would like to discuss a no obligation historic review, please contact info@inform.services.
