From 1 April 2026, there will be changes to how business rates are calculated. These changes may affect the amount you pay.
Summary of key changes
The key changes to how business rates are calculated are:
- revaluation updating rateable values
- support through the business rate relief package
- retail, hospitality and leisure relief (RHL) ending on 31 March 2026
- new multipliers being applied from 1 April 2026
Revaluation 2026
Every 3 years, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) updates the rateable values of over 2 million commercial properties in England and Wales. This process is called a revaluation. It is intended to ensure business rates reflect changes in the property market.
The next revaluation comes into effect on 1 April 2026, using market values determined as of 1 April 2024.
To see the future rateable value for your property and get an estimate of what your 2026 to 2027 business rates bill may be, go to find a business rates valuation on GOV.UK.
For more information see revaluation on GOV.UK.
Business rates relief package
The government has announced a package of measures which provide support. This includes:
- transitional relief scheme
- 2026 supporting small business relief
- pubs and live music venues relief
- 100% relief for eligible electric vehicle charging points and electric vehicle only forecourts
Transitional relief scheme
To support ratepayers facing large bill increases at the revaluation, the government is introducing a redesigned transitional relief scheme to limit increases.
If you are entitled to transitional relief, this will be automatically awarded and shown on your bill.
A 1p supplement to partially fund transitional relief applies for one year from 1 April 2026.
For more information see transitional relief on GOV.UK.
2026 supporting small business scheme
Bill increases for businesses losing some or all of their small business rates relief or retail, hospitality and leisure relief (RHL) will be capped at the higher of £800 or the relevant transitional relief caps from 1 April 2026.
Ratepayers also eligible to 2023 supporting small business relief in 2025 to 2026 will only receive relief for one year.
If you are entitled to the 2026 supporting small business relief this will be automatically awarded and shown on your bill.
For more information, see supporting small business relief on GOV.UK.
Pubs and live music venues relief
There will be a 15% business rate relief on top of other support for pubs and live music venue
100% relief for eligible electric vehicle charging points and electric vehicle only forecourts (EVCP relief)
There will be a 10-year 100% business rates relief for EVCPs, separately assessed by the Valuation Office Agency, and electric vehicle only forecourts to ensure that they face no business rates liability.
The regulations will be laid down in due course.
Business rates multipliers 2026 to 2027
The government will replace retail, hospitality and leisure relief (RHL) with 2 lower business rates multipliers for properties with rateable values below £500,000.
Elmbridge will be responsible for determining which properties are eligible for these multipliers in line with regulations and government guidance.
New multipliers from April 2026:
| Category | Rateable Value (RV) | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Small business | Below £51,000 | 43.2p |
| Standard | £51,000 – £499,999 | 48.0p |
| Large (all properties) | £500,000 and above | 50.8p |
| Small business RHL | Below £51,000 | 38.2p |
| Standard RHL | £51,000 – £499,999 | 43.0p |
For more information see estimate your business rates on GOV.UK.