Guidance

Check and challenge your business rates valuation: step by step

How to use a business rates valuation account to report changes to your business property or if you think your rateable value is too high.

Applies to England and Wales

In England and Wales, Check and Challenge cases are handled by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). Appeals are handled differently for properties in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

How to use a business rates valuation account

You can tell the VOA that:

  • your property details need changing
  • you think that your rateable value is too high

You can tell the VOA yourself or you can appoint an agent to act for you.

1. Sign in or register for a business rates valuation account

Register using your existing Government Gateway user ID. If you do not have a Government Gateway user ID, you’ll create one when you register.

Registering for a business rates valuation account

You can appoint an agent when you have a business rates valuation account.

Appointing an agent

2. Add a property to your account

Add a property so that you can then change property details and challenge the rateable value. Provide evidence to prove your connection to the property.

Adding your property to your account

3. Change the property details

Send a ‘Check case’ to tell the VOA your property details are correct or make a change to them. Provide evidence to support your changes.

The VOA may accept your changes and change the rateable value.

Sending a Check case

4. Challenge the rateable value

Send the VOA a ‘Challenge case’ if you think your rateable value is too high. Explain what you think it should be and provide evidence.

The VOA may accept your challenge and change the rateable value.

You must complete a Check case before sending a Challenge case.

Sending a Challenge case

5. Appeal the decision

Ask the independent Valuation Tribunal for a review if you do not agree with the VOA’s decision on the rateable value.

Appealing the decision

Published 30 October 2023