If your business has recently received notice of a rateable value increase, you are not alone. Following the latest business rates revaluation, many occupiers and landlords across England are seeing sharp uplifts in rateable values — often without any obvious change to the property itself.

The good news is this: rateable values can be challenged, and in many cases successfully reduced, if the assessment does not fairly reflect the property or the market.

Why Business Rates Increases Are Being Challenged More Often

Recent revaluations have led to widespread concern among businesses, particularly where:

• Liabilities have risen sharply in a short period

• Comparable properties appear to be assessed at lower levels

• Market conditions have weakened since the valuation date

• Assumptions used in the assessment do not reflect reality

In many cases, increases are driven by broad market modelling rather than property-specific analysis, which can create distortions.

Common Reasons a Rateable Value May Be Overstated

Business rates challenges are often successful where one or more of the following applies

• The property has been compared against stronger or better-located premises

• Rental evidence relied upon does not reflect the true open-market position

• The layout, condition, access, or specification disadvantages the property

• Areas, uses, or measurements have been incorrectly recorded

• Temporary or abnormal market factors have been overstated

Small inaccuracies can materially affect the assessment when scaled across valuation models.

How to Tell If a Challenge Is Worth Pursuing

Not every increase justifies a challenge, but it is usually worth investigating where:

• The uplift appears disproportionate to local rental tone

• Similar properties are paying less in business rates

• There has been no improvement to the building or its trading potential

• The increase materially impacts operating costs or profitability

An early professional review can quickly identify whether there is a realistic prospect of reduction.

The Business Rates Challenge Process Explained

Review: The assessment is reviewed against the property’s actual characteristics, comparable evidence, and local market conditions.

Formal Challenge: Where appropriate, a reasoned challenge is submitted, supported by valuation analysis and market evidence.

Negotiation or Appeal: Many cases are resolved through negotiation, though unresolved matters can proceed to appeal. A well-prepared challenge at the outset significantly improves the likelihood of a favourable outcome.

Risks of Challenging Without Proper Advice

Submitting an unsupported or poorly evidenced challenge can:

• Delay resolution

• Lock in an incorrect assessment

• Reduce credibility in negotiations

• In some cases, risk an adverse outcome

Business rates assessments are technical and evidence-led. Professional input ensures challenges are proportionate, accurate, and commercially sensible.

How Shepherd Commercial Supports Business Rates Challenges

Shepherd Commercial provides independent advice to occupiers, landlords, and investors facing business rates increases.

Our service includes:

• Initial feasibility reviews

• Market and rental evidence analysis

• Property inspection and verification

• Formal challenge submissions

• Negotiation with the Valuation Office

We focus on fairness, realism, and outcomes, not speculative appeals.

Speak to Us Before You Accept an Increase

Contact Shepherd Commercial for a confidential review and clear guidance on your options.

If your business rates have risen, or you are unsure whether your assessment fairly reflects your property, we recommend seeking advice before accepting the liability.