Business rates changes from April 2026


On 1 April 2026, the government will introduce a new system for business rates. This will take place alongside a revaluation of all non‑domestic properties.

The changes will create permanently lower tax rates for qualifying retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, and a higher rate for high‑value hereditaments. Transitional support will cap large bill increases.

All non-domestic properties will receive new rateable values, effective from 1 April 2026. These might differ from their previous values, which will in turn affect the amount of business rates they are charged.

The current two multipliers (small business and standard) will be replaced with five multipliers that reflect both property use (RHL or non‑RHL) and rateable value band.

The current temporary RHL relief (40%, capped at £110,000) ends on 31 March 2026. It will be replaced by permanently lower multipliers from April 2026.

A higher multiplier will apply to high‑value properties with a rateable value of £500,000 or more.

For more information, check the government’s guidance about business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties.

New multipliers for 2026/27

The multipliers for England (pence in the pound) from 1 April 2026 will be:

  • Small businesses with a rateable value under £51,000:
    • Retail, hospitality and leisure businesses: 38.2p
    • Non-RHL businesses: 43.2p
  • Standard businesses with a rateable value under £500,000:
    • Retail, hospitality and leisure businesses: 43p
    • Non-RHL businesses: 48p
  • High‑value businesses with a rateable value of £500,000 or more: 50.8p

2026 revaluation and support package

The government has published future rateable values that will take effect from 1 April 2026. Revaluations occur every three years and ensure bills reflect market changes.

To help ratepayers adjust, the government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over three years, including:

  • a redesigned Transitional Relief scheme, capping annual bill increases with more generous support for larger ratepayers
  • an expanded Supporting Small Business scheme, including businesses losing RHL relief, plus an extension of the 2023 scheme

What we are doing

We’re reviewing current and potential retail, hospitality and leisure properties to make sure each hereditament is billed with the correct multiplier from April 2026. We may contact some businesses to confirm use and rateable value band.

Where the national Transitional Relief or Supporting Small Business schemes apply, we will apply it automatically to eligible accounts. You do not need to apply for them.

We will issue bills for 2026/27 in March 2026. They will reflect the 2026 rating list and the relevant multipliers.

What you can do now

Page last reviewed: 12 January 2026

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