How your rateable value and rates are calculated (2024)

Non-domestic rates are calculated by:

  1. Multiplying the rateable value of a property by a tax rate based on the property value.
  2. Subtracting reliefs (discounts).
  3. Subtracting or adding any other adjustments or payments you've already made.
Tax rates
Rate name Rateable value Tax rate
Basic property rate ('poundage') Up to £51,000 49.8 pence
Intermediate property rate £51,001 to £100,000 54.5 pence
Higher property rate Over £100,000 55.9 pence

Rateable value

Local councils use the 'rateable value' of a property to calculate business rates.

How rateable values are calculated

Rateable values are calculated by assessors. This process is known as a 'valuation'. Each area in Scotland has its own assessor.

Assessors use different methods to calculate rateable values. For example, they might use information such as rent or floor space. Assessors will usually ask property owners, tenants or occupiers for this information. This is to make sure rateable value calculations are as accurate as possible.

Warning

Assessors will contact you for this information. You need to give it by law and may face a penalty if you do not. Contact your local assessor right away if you do not hold the information they ask for.

For most properties, rateable value is based on an estimate of the rental value of the property. Assessors take rental values from the same point in time, known as the 'tone date'. For current valuations this was 1 April 2022. The tone date for the next revaluation is 1 April 2025.

Checking a rateable value

You can find the rateable value of a property on Scottish Assessors Association website. You'll also find a breakdown of how a rateable value was calculated for most properties.

Contacting an assessor about a rateable value

You can contact your local assessor if:

  • you think your valuation details are wrong
  • you disagree with the assessor's valuation
  • you move or make changes to your premises
  • the nature of your business changes

You can also update your information on the Scottish Assessors Association website.

When your rateable value might change

Your rateable value could change when there’s a:

Material changes

Material changes could include:

  • physical changes to your property
  • new roads or changes to access routes
  • events that affect your business, for example a fire in your area

You should contact your assessor if you think your premises have had a material change or change of use.

Appeals

If you think your rateable value is wrong, you can ask your local assessor to check it. This is called making a proposal.

If you still disagree with the assessor's valuation, you can usually then make an appeal.

Find more information about making a non-domestic rates proposal or appeal.

How your rateable value and rates are calculated (2024)

FAQs

How to find out the rateable value of a commercial property in Scotland? ›

You can find out the rateable value for any rated non-domestic property at the Scottish Assessors website. Use the non-domestic rates calculator on the mygov. scot website to estimate your rates bill. You can also find out about any relief (discounts) your property may be eligible for.

How are business rates calculated in Northern Ireland? ›

Your annual business rate bill is calculated and collected by Land & Property Services. Non-domestic property in Northern Ireland is assessed on the basis of its rental value known as the Net Annual Value (NAV). The NAV of your business property will determine how much you will have to pay in rates.

Who sets business rates in the UK? ›

Business rates are set by central government, which sets the multiplier, a pence in the pound value which is then applied to the rateable value, an estimate of the open market rental value a property could achieve on a specified date.

Can you negotiate business rates? ›

If you are having problems paying your business rates, your first port of call should be getting in contact with your council. If you notify them of your inability to pay before you miss a payment, you stand a much better chance of being able to negotiate some form of plan with them going forwards.

What is one disadvantage to a business of an increase in interest rates? ›

More late payments: When interest rates increase, businesses tend to be under more financial pressure and experience strained cash flow. This can result in them making payments later, affecting the payee business' cash flow in turn.

How are commercial valuations calculated? ›

Income approach

With this approach, properties are valued based on their potential for income and capitalisation rate or 'cap rate'. Cap rate is calculated by dividing a property's net operating income by its current value and considers factors such as the value of similar properties in the surrounding area.

What is the rateable value of a valuation roll? ›

What are they? The Assessor is required to enter in the Valuation Roll a net annual value and a rateable value for each non-domestic subject. For almost all categories of property, the net annual and rateable values are the same.

How do you calculate rates? ›

So, to calculate a rate, you must have two values changing, you fix a time, or any equivalent measure, and calculate their changes, then divide them. Your rate will tell you how the numerator variable changes with the denominator variable.

How to calculate commercial rate? ›

Commercial rates are calculated by multiplying the 'Rateable Valuation' of your property by a multiplier called the 'Annual Rate on Valuation' (ARV). The Annual Rate on Valuation is decided by Dublin City Council at its annual budget meeting.

What 2 months do you not pay rates in Northern Ireland? ›

Paying your rate bill

Your rate bill is based on rates assessed from 1 April to 31 March. When you receive your domestic rate bill, you're responsible for paying the full amount within the rates year.

What is the rateable value in Scotland? ›

What is rateable value? The Scottish Assessors give all non domestic property in Scotland a rateable value, which is a legally defined valuation of a property, broadly based on an analysis of annual rental values.

How are business rates calculated in Wales? ›

Your business rates are calculated by taking the Rateable Value (RV) of your property and multiplying it by the current non-domestic rates 'multiplier' (or 'poundage'). For the financial year 2024-25 the multiplier is 0.562. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) values properties and assigns the RV.

What do your rates cover in Northern Ireland? ›

How rates contribute to public spending. The rates you pay contribute to public services such as health, education, justice and other regional services. To see an example of how a ratepayer's rates contribute to public services, go to: Example of how rates contribute to public spending.

How can low interest rates affect a business? ›

It is long-term rates that affect investment spending. Lower interest rates for consumers mean more spending. Lower interest rates for business mean increased production of goods, and the creation of new jobs for the people who produce, sell, and deliver the goods.

Do you pay rates on empty commercial property in Northern Ireland? ›

Rates are not payable for three months from either the date a non-domestic property becomes empty or the date Land & Property Services (LPS) has determined as a completion day. This is applied automatically. After the three month free period, rates will be billed at 50% of the normal occupied amount.

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