Time is running out to fix Business Rates errors: How Much Could Landlords & Occupiers Lose After April 2026?

From 1 April 2026, the new 2026 Rating List comes into effect. Once that happens, the opportunity to challenge or correct liabilities under the current 2023 Rating List will end. Time is running out…

From 1 April 2026, the new 2026 Rating List comes into effect. Once that happens, the opportunity to challenge or correct liabilities under the current 2023 Rating List will end. 

That means that the opportunity to correct any errors in your current business rates assessment will simply be lost. Not delayed. Not rolled forward. Lost. 

January is the point at which the April 1st deadline becomes real. 

 

Why the Window Is Closing 

Business rates liabilities are calculated against Rateable Values published by the Valuation Office Agency under a periodic revaluation. Where the Rateable Values are wrong (because of incorrect floor areas, outdated use, changes in condition, partial occupation or vacancy), liabilities can be overestimated.  

Within the current revaluation, challenges to rateable values and can still be backdated to 1st April 2023. That window closes when the 2023 Rating List ends. 

From April 2026: 

• You will no longer be able to amend or reclaim historic liabilities under the 2023 List. 

• Any overpayments made during this period which have not been challenged by April 2026 will remain with the billing authority. 

• From April 2026, new challenges will apply only to the 2026 List, with no retrospective claims allowed. 

In summary, any overpayments made between April 2023 and March 2026 may no longer be recoverable if a check has not been made by 1st April 2026. April 2026 is the hard cut-off date. 

 

What This Looks Like in Real Money 

Let’s take a straightforward example of a small to mid-sized commercial premises which has a rateable value of £95,000. After a review, it transpires that the recorded floor area is overestimated, and the correct rateable value should be £85,000. 

Under the current system and using the current multipliers, that £10,000 difference in rateable value could equate to roughly £5,500 per year in liability. Over three years, that is approximately £16,500. 

If that error is identified and Challenged before the 2023 list closes, the £16,500 can be refunded. If it is not, and the list closes, the opportunity to recover the overpayments will disappear entirely. The opportunity does not roll forward to the new 2026 list. 

Multiply that across several premises, and the figures quickly become significant.  

 

Why January Matters 

Although the deadline is 31st March 2026, the process itself takes time. A detailed review and submission can take several weeks, sometimes longer depending on complexity. Evidence needs to be gathered, checked and formally lodged. Waiting until close to the deadline date reduces the window and increases risk. 

January is the point where there remains: 

• Enough time to properly review and submit a challenge 

• Sufficient time to correct issues without rushing 

• A realistic opportunity of securing any refund that could be due 

Leave it later, and options narrow significantly.  

 

This Is Not About Appealing Everything 

It is about reviewing. Many properties are correctly assessed. Some are not. The only way to know is to look. 

At QuoinStone, we carry out quick, no-obligation reviews with no upfront cost. If there is nothing to pursue, we will tell you. If there is, you still control whether to proceed. 

 

What To Do Now 

If you’re not sure whether your property is correctly assessed, the first step is simply to review your assessment. We can do that quickly and without obligation. You don’t need to instruct us or commit to anything.

To get started, you can WhatsApp a copy of your most recent Business Rates bill to 07700 101 077 or email info@quoinstone.consulting and one of our team will review it and call you back.