Raising a check case to change your business property details
Report any changes to the Valuation Office Agency about your business property details by submitting a check case through your business rates valuation account.
Applies to England and Wales
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) holds factual details about your business properties, such as floor area and number of rooms or toilets. The rateable value of a property is calculated using these details.
You can raise a check case to tell the VOA that the factual details about your property need changing.
You must add your property to your business rates valuation account before you can raise a check case.
Watch this video to find out what a check case is and how to raise one.
How to check if you think your business rates valuation is wrong
The VOA updates the valuation of non-domestic properties every three years, known as a revaluation. Revaluation 2026 will come into effect on 1 April 2026. If you need to report changes to your current valuation, you must raise a check case by 31 March 2026. Changes you report to your current valuation will carry over to the 2026 valuation.
You will not be able to make changes to your previous valuation once your new valuation comes into effect on 1 April 2026.
When to raise a check case
You can raise a check case to report changes to your property, such as:
- the address
- the main use or description
- splitting the property
- merging with other properties
- demolitions
- renovations
If your property needs to be removed from the Rating List due to major works, such as demolition, you must raise a check case to inform the VOA.
You should also raise a check case to tell the VOA:
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about a court decision on another property that affects your property
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there has been a change in the surrounding area that’s not in your control, such as reconstruction or demolition of a neighbouring property or long-term disruptive roadworks
An external factor affecting your property’s valuation is known as a Material Change of Circumstances (MCC). If the issue is temporary, you must submit the check case while the MCC is ongoing.
You need to raise a check case before you can challenge a valuation, even if the factual details are correct. For example, if the VOA makes an incorrect change to your valuation or sets the wrong effective date for a change to your valuation.
If your property is in the Central Rating List, you will need to use a different form to start a check case.
The Central Rating List contains properties like utility supply networks, cross country pipelines, railways and telecommunications networks.
How to submit a check case
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Sign in to your business rates valuation account.
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Select the list of properties in the ‘Your properties’ section.
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Select the property that you want to raise a check case for.
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Select its current valuation, review the details and then select ‘Start a check case’.
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Select your reason and continue.
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Follow the instructions on the screen to tell us what needs to change.
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Upload your evidence.
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Select the evidence type based on the changes you are reporting.
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Answer the additional questions related to your business.
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Review all your responses before you submit your request.
You can upload Word, Excel, PDF and image files as evidence. Evidence can include:
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photographs
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floor plans
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rent agreements
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a statement with extra information or comments that you have not included elsewhere
You may have to pay a penalty if you knowingly submit false information to the VOA.
After you submit a check case
The VOA will review your request and contact you if we need more information or evidence.
To report any new changes after you’ve submitted a check case, you must start a new check case. The VOA will review the information given in both cases when considering your request.
The VOA will update your property details and send you a written notification when the check case is completed. Your rateable value may increase, decrease or remain the same.
If you disagree with the outcome, you can challenge the valuation. You have until 4 months after the VOA has completed your check case to raise a challenge.
Extra support
The VOA can give you extra support if you have a health condition or personal circumstance that makes using our online service difficult.
If you cannot submit a check case through your business rates valuation account, email ccaservice@voa.gov.uk or contact the VOA to raise it manually.
Updates to this page
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Instructions added for how to raise a check case.
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Information related to check deadline added ahead of revaluation 2026.
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A Welsh translation has been added.
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Updated information for Wales
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Updated for the 2023 rating list
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First published.