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 2026 valuation, that date was 1 April 2024.
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.
The 2026 revaluation took effect from 1 April 2026.
Harlow Council are responsible for issuing and collecting your business rates bill. The VOA is responsible for assessing the rateable value of your property. If you have any questions about your rateable value, you can contact the VOA.
Transitional relief
Transitional relief helps limit how much a business rate bill can change each year as a result of revaluation, by phasing in increases gradually over 3 years.
We apply transitional relief automatically if you’re eligible - you do not need to apply - and the relief will be on your bill.
You can find out more about transitional relief on GOV.UK.