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Business rates information and appeals

Business rates (also known as Non-Domestic Rates) is a local tax that is paid by the owners or occupiers of non-domestic or business properties. This is the way businesses contribute towards the cost of local services.

Business rates are charged on most business properties such as shops, offices, pubs and factories.

We send bills in March each year or you can access your business rates account securely online with Open Portal. To register for an Open Portal account please email business.rates@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk with the subject as Open Portal. You must provide your full name and the address where you are registered to pay business rates. 

The amount you need to pay depends upon:

  • the rateable value of your business property, set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA)
  • the relevant national non-domestic rating multiplier, set by central government, and
  • your eligibility for any rate reliefs or exemptions

Rateable value

The rateable value is assessed by the VOA, which is an agency of HM Revenue and Customs.

A property's rateable value is an assessment of the annual rent the property would rent for if it were available to let on the open market at a fixed valuation date. For the current 2023 valuation list, the valuation date is 1st April 2021.

You can find and check your property details on the gov.uk website.

National non-domestic rating multiplier

We work out your business rates bill by multiplying the rateable value of the property by the relevant multiplier set by central government.  

There are currently two multipliers:

  • small business multiplier: 49.9p payable occupied properties with a rateable value of less than 51,000
  • large business multiplier: 55.5p payable by all properties, except those that qualify for the small business multiplier

The multiplier used to calculate your business rates charge is shown on the front of your bill.

Unoccupied property rating

If you get empty property relief, you do not have to pay business rates on your empty property for 3 months. The relief starts from when the property becomes empty. After this time, most businesses must pay full business rates.

Industrial buildings (for example warehouses) are exempt for a further three month period. Please contact us for more details.

Properties with a rateable value of less than £2,900 are exempt from empty property rates, until they become reoccupied.

Revaluations

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) regularly updates the rateable values of all business and other non-domestic properties (properties that are not just private homes) in England and Wales. 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. 

We use 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 up-to-date information. 

The next revaluation will come into effect on 1 April 2026. 

Contacting the Valuation Office Agency 

We are responsible for anything to do with your business rates bill. The VOA is responsible for the valuation of your property. You will therefore need to contact the VOA for all queries about your rateable value. 

Finding your rateable value 

You are able to see the rateable value for your property and get an estimate of what your business rates bill may be. You can do this through the VOA’s Find a Business Rates Valuation Service on GOV.UK. 

Your property details need changing 

To tell the VOA about changes to your property details (such as floor area sizes and parking) you need a business rates valuation account. The VOA may accept your changes and update the current and future valuations.

Sign in or register for a business rates valuation account 

You think your rateable value is too high 

You will need to use a business rates valuation account to tell the VOA you think your rateable value is too high. You must continue to pay your business rates as normal until a decision has been made.

Disruptions to trade

If you have had disruptions that have impacted on trade you may be eligible for a temporary reduction in rateable value. You must inform the Valuation Office directly. Until advised otherwise, you must to continue to pay your existing rates bill as it falls due. 

Rating advisers

Ratepayers do not have to be represented in discussions about their rateable value or their rates bill. Checks, challenges and appeals against rateable values can be made free of charge.

Ratepayers who do wish to be represented should be aware that members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) are qualified and are regulated by rules of professional conduct designed to protect the public from misconduct.

Before you employ a rating adviser, you should check that they have the necessary knowledge and expertise, as well as appropriate indemnity insurance.