The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) regularly updates the rateable values of all business properties. This is called a revaluation.
Rateable values are the amount of rent a property could have been let for on a set valuation date. For the 2023 valuation, that date was 1 April 2021.
Harlow Council uses these rateable values to calculate business rates bills.
Revaluations are carried out to reflect changes in the property market, which means that business rates bills are based on more up to date information.
You can set up a business rates valuation account on GOV.UK to to let the VOA know if you think your new rateable value is too high.
Revaluation 2023
Transitional relief
The Valuation Office Agency revalued properties for 1 April 2023. As a result, the amount of business rates you pay can change.
The transitional relief scheme limits how much your bill can change each year, by phasing in increases gradually over 3 years.
We apply the transition relief automatically if you’re eligible - you do not need to apply - and the relief will be on your bill.
Rate increase limits
| Rateable value | 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 | 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 | 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £20,000 | 5% | 10% | 25% |
| £20,001 to £100,000 | 15% | 25% | 40% |
| Over £100,000 | 30% | 40% | 55% |
| Inflation factor | 1 | 1 |
After the limits have been applied, your bill will still increase by an inflation factor