# How to Check Your Rateable Value on the VOA Website

Canonical: https://paddl-ai.co/how-to/how-to-check-rateable-value-voa

Step-by-step guide to looking up your property on the VOA website, checking the details they hold, and comparing your rateable value against similar properties.

Time: PT20M

Your rateable value is the foundation of your business rates bill. If it is wrong, every bill you receive will be wrong too. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) provides a free online tool where you can look up your property, check the details they hold, and see your current rateable value.

This guide walks you through finding your property on the VOA website, understanding the information displayed, checking it for accuracy, and comparing your RV against similar properties.

## Steps

1. **Go to the VOA website** Open your browser and go to gov.uk/correct-your-business-rates. This is the official VOA service for checking and challenging rateable values. Do not use third-party websites that charge for information that is freely available from the VOA.
2. **Search for your property** Enter your property address or postcode in the search box. If your property is in a multi-unit building, select the correct unit from the results. Your property will show its address, UARN, rateable value, and property description.
3. **Check the property details** Click on your property to see the full details the VOA holds. This includes floor areas, property description, number of floors, and any noted facilities. Check every detail against the reality of your premises. Incorrect floor areas are one of the most common causes of overvaluation.
4. **Note your rateable value** Record your current rateable value and compare it to the figure on your rates bill. They should match. Your RV determines which multiplier applies and which reliefs you qualify for.
5. **Compare against similar properties** Search for similar properties near yours on the VOA website. Look for properties of similar size, type, and location. Note their rateable values and UARNs. If your RV is significantly higher than comparable properties, this may indicate an overvaluation worth challenging.
6. **Submit corrections if details are wrong** If the VOA holds incorrect information, submit corrections through the Check stage of the CCA process. You will need a VOA business rates account. Provide evidence such as floor plans, lease documents, or photographs.

## Tips

- Take screenshots of your VOA property listing and comparable properties for your records.
- Check the VOA listing immediately after each revaluation, as errors introduced during the process are easier to correct early.
- If your property has been extended or altered since the valuation date, the VOA may not have updated their records. Submit a notification.
- For pubs and hotels valued on the receipts-and-expenditure basis, you may need to contact the VOA directly to see the trading assumptions.

## Common mistakes

- **Paying a third-party company to look up your rateable value** The VOA website is free to use. Several companies charge fees for information that is publicly available at no cost.
- **Assuming the VOA floor areas are correct without checking** VOA floor area records can be wrong, especially for older or altered properties. Measure your premises and compare against the VOA figures.
- **Comparing only against properties in the same building** Properties in the same building may share the same valuation errors. Compare against similar properties across a wider area.

## Questions

**Can I check rateable values for properties I do not occupy?**

Yes. The VOA valuation list is public information. You can search for and view the rateable value of any commercial property in England and Wales.

**What if my property does not appear on the VOA website?**

It may not be on the rating list. This could mean you are not liable for rates, or the VOA has not yet assessed a new or converted property. Contact the VOA to clarify.