GuideOverview of Business Rates

When to contact the Valuation Office  (VO) or East Devon District Council:

• The VO is responsible for calculating the RV of a property as well as compiling and maintaining a rating list showing the RVs of non-domestic property.
• East Devon District Council uses the RV to calculate the business rates bill. We are also responsible for the billing and collection of business rates including any relief from payment.

The RV is normally the VO's estimate of a property’s open market rental value on a set date (1 April 2021 for the 2023 rating list & 1 April 2024 for the 2026 rating list).  You can find a property's business rates valuation on the VO website.

The valuation of pubs & licensed premises is based on the annual level of trade that a pub is expected to achieve if operated in a reasonably efficient way.

Please do not contact us as we will only ask you to contact the VO

What to do if I think the RV of your property is wrong  You need to use the VO's Check, Challenge & Appeal process.

The VO does not usually change your rateable value if your property is in a state of disrepair but there are exceptions to this.

I have appealed to the VO to reduce the RV, do I still have to pay? Yes. Rates are payable on the basis of the rateable value entered in the Rating List and you remain liable to pay the bill sent to you until the Rating List is amended and a revised bill sent. If the value is reduced any overpayment will be refunded.

I have been contacted by an agent who says they can reduce my rates Be wary of rogue rating agents. If you want an agent to manage your business rates, use the VO’s checklist to choose one. Don’t let an agent choose you.