How business rates are worked out
The amount of business rates you pay is decided by the government. We carry out the billing, collection of funds and enforcements if the bills are not paid.
All the rates we collect are paid into a central ‘pool’, which is controlled by the government and redistributed to councils in the form of a grant. The amount each council receives depends on their resident adult populations and the services for which they are responsible.
The amount you pay will depend on many different aspects:
- the value of your property
- the business rate multiplier
- transitional arrangements
- relief or discounts you may be able to claim
Your business rate bill is worked out by multiplying the rateable value of your property by the appropriate business rate multiplier. Based on the rateable value history, some properties can be subject to transitional arrangements – this can help to reduce your bill.
In some circumstances, you can appeal the amount that you are charged for business rates on our Appeals page. For Freedom of Information requests, see our FOIs page.
The value of your property
The government’s Valuation Office Agency assesses each non-domestic property for business rates and gives them ‘rateable value’. This forms the basis on which your business rates are calculated.
To understand why your property has a certain rateable value, please visit the VOA website ‘How business rates are calculated’.
You can find out about the latest assessment for non-domestic properties, your rateable value and the local rating list on the Valuation Office Agency’s website.
Business rate multiplier
This is set annually by the Secretary of State and except in a revaluation year, the multiplier may not increase by more than the rate of increase in the Retail Price Index.
From April 2026, there will be five multipliers reflecting both business type and the property rateable value (RV).
Non-Retail Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) Multipliers
- Small business non-RHL multiplier: Non-RHL businesses with RV below £51,000. This has been set for 2026/2027 at 43.2 pence in pound. For 2025/2026 the small business multiplier was 49.9 pence in the pound.
- Standard non-RHL multiplier: Non-RHL businesses with RV between £51,000 and £499,999. This has been set for 2026/2027 at 48.0 pence in pound. For 2025/2026 the standard multiplier was 55.5 pence in the pound.
Retail Hospitality and Leisure Multipliers
- Small business RHL multiplier: RHL businesses with a RV under £51,000. This has been set for 2026/2027 at 38.2 pence in pound.
- Standard RHL multiplier: RHL businesses with a RV between £51,000 and £499,999. This has been set for 2026/2027 at 43.0 pence in pound.
Further information and eligibility criteria can be found online on our Retail Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) Multipliers page. Only properties that meet the legislative definition of RHL will qualify for the lower multipliers and receipt of RHL relief does not automatically mean you quality for the RHL multipliers.
Large Property Multiplier
Large property multiplier: For all properties with a RV of £500,000 and above. This has been set for 2026/2027 at 50.8 pence in pound.
More information about calculating your business rates can be found on the government’s website.
Contact us - Business Rates
0333 038 6550
(Text phone users add 18001 before dialing)
South Oxfordshire District Council
PO Box 162
Erith
DA8 9DS
