Key Facts:
Undertake a Business Rates Review
Scope for savings and provide details of the current position regarding your historic and current valuations.
Plan Ahead with Key Dates
Understand what is changing ahead with the new Revaluation dates and relief deadlines, to mitigate against any unexpected costs in your budget.
Review Current & Planned Developments at your School
Reductions might be possible on buildings taken out of use. In addition, your School may qualify for Improvement relief on completed projects after April 2024.
Conduct a Mandatory Relief Audit
Do you have any accommodation on-site that could still qualify for Mandatory Relief, e.g. separately assessed nurseries.
Explore Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Relief
Eligible facilities may receive retail relief through 2025/26 and possibly prior years too. This relief is expected to be replaced post-April 2026.
Consider making an Application for Discretionary Relief
Local Council policies vary, however, your site may qualify for relief, for example, based on the community benefits that your School offers.
Review SEND Provision Spaces
Dedicated SEND areas could unlock rate-saving opportunities, as we may be able exclude these areas from your rating valuation.
Review of Council Tax
Consider a review of your Council Tax liabilities to scope for savings, or any under assessments. If you have any repurposed buildings or vacant residential units there could also be opportunities for reassessment.
Strategic Advice
If your School is considering changes to the use of the site, this may impact on your business rates and Council Tax. Engage early with advisors to align your estates strategy with any longer-term goals.
Key Dates:
31st March 2026
Deadline for most new ‘Check cases’, due to the closure of the current (2023) Rating List period.
1st April 2026
Commencement of the new (2026) Rating List period, introducing new rateable values and billing regulations.
1st April 2026
Soft launch and testing by the Valuation Office of the new ‘Duty to Notify’ rules.
31st March 2027
Anticipated final deadline for the Valuation Office to make amendments to the 2023 Rating List.
1st April 2029
Commencement of the new (2029) Rating List period and full rollout of the ‘Duty to Notify’, with penalties for non-compliance.
