Rateable Values

With the exception of properties that are exempt from Business Rates, each non-domestic property has a Rateable Value. Paying My Business Rates The Inland Revenue Valuation Office Agency is responsible for assessing the Rateable Values of non-domestic properties and compiling them in to a Rating List.

Broadly speaking, the Rateable Value is a professional view of the annual rent the property could have been let for if it was available on the open market on a particular date. All properties are assessed as at the same fixed valuation date so as not to distort the Rating List. The Valuation Office has a legal duty to review all Rateable Values every five years and for the revaluation which came into effect on 1st April 2000, the valuation date was set as 1st April 1998. The latest revaluation came into effect on 1st April 2005, the valuation date being 1st April 2003. View more information concerning the latest revaluation.

The Valuation Office has to maintain the Rating List until the next revaluation and may alter the Rateable Value if they believe that the circumstances of the property have changed. The ratepayer (and certain others who have an interest in the property) can appeal against the Rateable Value if they believe it is incorrect.

It should be mentioned that an increase or decrease in Rateable Value may not necessarily result in a smaller or larger rates bill. This is because the calculation is based on a number of other factors such as Transitional Relief and the Rate Multiplier.

Check your Rateable Value
Your Rateable Value will be displayed on your Business Rates bill. You can also find out your Rateable Value from the following:

- The Valuation Office Agency's website (www.voa.gov.uk/business_rates/index.htm Opens in a new window)
- Your local Valuation Office:

District Valuer and Valuation Officer
Guildford Valuation Office
West Block
Westbrook Mills
Borough Road
Godalming,
Surrey GU7 2SG
Telephone: (01483) 702900
Facsimile: (01483) 702998
E-mail: readinggroup.vo@voa.gov.uk

- Your local Authority:

Surrey Heath Borough Council
Business Rates Team
Surrey Heath House
Knoll Road
Camberley
Surrey GU15 3HD
Telephone: (01276) 707136
Facsimile: (01276) 707440
E-mail: revenues@surreyheath.gov.uk