Business Rates are based on a business property’s ‘rateable value’. This is an estimate by the Government's Valuation Office Agency of how much it would cost to rent a property.
Sevenoaks District Council does not set the Business Rates but has a duty to collect it. Most of the Business Rates is shared between central Government and Kent County Council. A small proportion is retained by Sevenoaks District Council.
The Valuation Office Agency carry out Business Rates revaluations every three financial years. The next revaluation will come into effect from 1 April 2026.
What is a revaluation?
A revaluation involves the review of all rateable values of non-domestic properties, with new values being based largely on the amount of rent a property could be let out for on the antecedent valuation date.
These rateable values are used to calculate your Non-Domestic Rates, or Business Rates, bill.
You can view more information about the changes by visiting the links below.
Find a business rates valuation - GOV.UK
Revaluation 2026 – everything you need to know – Valuation Office Agency
Business rates: forward look - GOV.UK
Business Rates Multipliers 2026/27
Following the passing of the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act 2025, from 1 April 2026, the system of calculating bills will change, moving from two multipliers to five multipliers. The multiplier applied will reflect the Rateable Value (RV) of the property, as well as its use.
What this means
This new system is designed to deliver permanent support for those properties used for qualifying Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties, replacing the previous relief schemes which were granted annually.
The new system is intended to increase contributions for larger businesses, who occupy properties which carry the highest rateable values.
The new multipliers will be calculated using the Small and Standard Multipliers. The Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act 2025 limits how much more or less these can be.
- The HIGH VALUE Multiplier can’t exceed the Standard Multiplier by more than 10p.
- The RHL Multipliers can’t be more than 20p lower than the Small Multiplier.
Multiplier structure from 2026/27
| Property Classification and Rateable Value | 2026/27 Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Small business RHL multiplier, RHL properties only, RV below £51,000* | 38.2p |
| Small business multiplier, non-RHL properties, RV below £51,000 | 43.2p |
| Standard RHL multiplier, RHL properties only, RV £51,000 to £499,999* | 43.0p |
| Standard multiplier, non-RHL properties, RV £51,000 to £499,999 | 48.0p |
| High-value multiplier, all properties, RV £500,000 and above | 50.8p |
* View a list of qualifying Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties.
Transitional Relief
To support ratepayers facing large bill increases at the revaluation, Central Government has reintroduced a redesigned Transitional Relief Scheme worth £3.2 billion.
Transitional Relief supports properties by capping increases caused by changes to rateable values at the 2026 revaluation. The “upwards caps” will be 5%, 15% and 30% respectively for small properties (RV up to £20,000), medium properties (RV between £20,001 and £100,000) and large properties (RV greater than £100,000) in 2026/27 and will be applied before any other reliefs or supplements. Properties with reductions in rateable values from the 2026 revaluation will see the full benefit of that reduction in their new Business Rates Bill from 1 April 2026.
A 1p supplement will be added to the relevant business rates multiplier for ratepayers who do not receive Transitional Relief or Supporting Small Business (SSB) relief. This will help fund the Transitional Relief scheme. It applies for 1 year from 1 April 2026.
Supporting Small Business Scheme
Bill increases for businesses losing some or all their eligibility for rural rate or small business rates relief because of the 2026 revaluation will see increases in their bill capped at the higher of £800 per year or the relevant Transitional Relief percentage cap from 1 April 2026.
Businesses who are still receiving Supporting Small Business Relief because of the 2023 revaluation will have their relief extended for 12 months. This will cap any increase at the higher of £800 per year or the relevant Transitional Relief percentage cap from 1 April 2026.
Supporting Small Business Relief has been extended to Retail Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) properties transitioning away from RHL relief. This will limit the increase in their bill at the higher of £800 per year or the relevant Transitional Relief percentage cap from 1 April 2026.
How we are preparing
We are currently reviewing all properties within our area to determine which multiplier applies to each property. Should we need further information in specific cases, we will contact those ratepayers directly.
Rating agents
Residents may experience contact from Rating Agents regarding the new changes to Business Rates from 1 April 2026, offering to manage and help you to reduce your rates payable.
You can manage your Business Rates yourself. If you want to appoint an agent, the Valuation Office Agency has published information about how to choose a Business Rates agent.
Residents can acquire information and support regarding their Business Rates liability directly from the Council, as well as some guidance in relation to the upcoming changes on 1 April 2026.