From 1 April 2024, if you make certain improvements to your property, you may get relief from higher business rates bills.
You can find out more about which improvements are eligible by going to GOV.UK: Improvement relief.
You do not need to apply for improvement relief. The Valuation Office Agency, HMRC (VOA) will automatically issue a certificate to the council where any qualifying works may be eligible.
If you have questions about a certificate of qualifying works, please contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) at the email address on your certificate. Please note that the VOA cannot answer queries about the occupation condition or your business rates bill.
The conditions for the relief to apply are that:
- certificate has been issued by the Valuation Office Agency, HMRC (VOA) that has not been withdrawn or ceased to have effect, and
- the same ratepayer has been in continuous occupation since the qualifying improvement works commenced
The relief lasts for 12 months from when the improvement works were completed while the above conditions are met.