Who are RVA Surveyors?
RVA Surveyors are a leading independent business rates reduction specialists. We offer our services to business rate payers, whether commercial property owners or tenants, with a no reduction no fee option available (NRNF). Our independent status allows us to ensure that we are solely focused on achieving reductions for our clients.
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Why should I use RVA and what will RVA do for me?
We offer a fully managed end-to-end specialist business rates reduction service. With our expert knowledge and advice, we have a proven history of achieving significant reductions throughout England & Wales.
We make the process to review your business rates easy with RVA’s four simple steps, taking away the complexity of reviewing business rates with a hassle-free process. Our on-going support, reviews, and reductions that are transcending the rating lists are delivered on a ‘No Reduction No Fee’ basis. It is these qualities that allow us to fully engage with our clients to bring about the best outcome.
What is RVA’s success rate?
Under the Check Challenge Appeal and Rates Audit process over 85% of properties where a check is lodged, receive a reduction.
How will reviewing my Business Rates benefit the business?
Over 50% of businesses who have reviewed their business rates through RVA Surveyors have found to be overpaying on their liabilities. Many Rateable Values have been calculated on outdated or incorrect information held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) or local authorities, leading to inflated business rates.
Not only will reviewing your business rates ensure you pay correctly for current liabilities, but can lead to backdated historic savings and even lead to future reductions throughout the rest of the current and future rating lists.
Can I reduce my own Business Rates liability?
Due to the complexity of the process to review business rates the majority of business owners and tenants appoint an agent to ensure savings in business rates liabilities. Over 50,000 properties have been signed to date with RVA; bolstered by our 85% success rate and risk-free policy.
Is RVA Surveyors part of any Local Authority or Government Body?
What are the current Multipliers/Uniform Business Rates (UBR)?
A multiplier (also known as Uniform Business Rates) is the pence in the pound that business rates payers pay against the rateable value.
This is the equation that gives you your Rates Payable (also known as your Rates Liability) – Rateable Value x Multiplier = Liability
The current UBR multipliers which took affect 01/04/2026 are:
- Below £51,000 rateable value
- Small RHL Multiplier – £0.382p
- Small Non RHL Multiplier – £0.430p
- £51,000 – £499,999 rateable value
- Standard RHL Multiplier – £0.432p
- Standard Non RHL Multiplier – £0.480p
- £500,000 and above rateable value
- Large Business Multiplier – £0.4508p
RHL Multipliers have replaced the previous Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) Relief, and are applied to those who previously received RHL Relief in the 2023 rating list or meet the relevant eligible criteria in the 2026 rating list.
Do small businesses pay Business Rates?
This is all dependent on their rateable value. If the business has a value less than £51,000, they still have to pay rates based on the Small RHL and non RHL Multiplier that comes into effect April 1st. However, some small businesses may be eligible for Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) if they have a rateable value within the range of £12,001-£15,000. The conditions are as follows:
- Properties £13,500 relief is 50%.
- Properties £14,000 relief is 33%.
- You will not pay business rates if your rateable value is under £12,000 and you meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
What if a small business uses more than one property?
In the 2026 rating list, if as a business you acquire a second property, you will be eligible for Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) for up to three years on your first property (in line with eligibility criteria), which previously was set at one year.
Are Business Rates outside the scope of VAT?
Business rates are outside the scope of VAT as it is a tax levied by the government. While VAT can be applied to goods and services from businesses, they cannot be applied to the occupation of the property that the business operates out of.
What are Business Rates?
Business rates (also known as non-domestic rates) are a tax levied by the government on all commercial premises. They are decided by both Central government and the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). Central government sets the multiplier. The VOA sets the rateable value which the multiplier is applied to.
Who pays Business Rates?
All commercial/non-domestic properties have a Rateable Value (RV) set by the Valuation Office Agency. If a property’s is split into domestic and non-domestic/commercial uses, it may also incur business rates. Some business rates payers may receive an exemption or a relief in their business rates liability.
What is the difference between Rateable Value and Rates Payable?
Rateable Value (sometimes shown as RV) is set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) based on comparable open market rental evidence, along with the use and size of your commercial property. It is representative of what that property can be rented out for and is used to calculate non-domestic/commercial property’s business rates.
Rates payable (also known as Rates Liability) is the full amount you will pay to your local authority based on your Rateable Value as determined by the multiplier. This is after any exemptions or reliefs have been applied.
What is a Rating List?
A rating list is a set period of time where a commercial properties value is set by the Valuation Office Agency. We are now in the 2026 rating list which will end 31st March 2029.
Rating lists are held by Local Authorities, or in the case of the Central Rating list (which deals with larger companies such as major transports), by central government.
The hassle-free way to review business rates.
Business rates are a complex and convoluted process, making the task of reviewing liabilities time consuming for commercial ratepayers.
Our service has been designed to take away the stress, with our specialist support teams and expert surveyors taking care of the entire process creating minimum operational involvement for our clients.
See what our clients say about their experience
on the client testimonials page…
Enquire Now
RVA Surveyors – The hassle free way to reduce your business rates liability.
Or simply call us on 0330 055 3234 and a member of the team will be happy to help.
Opening hours:
Monday 08:45 – 17:30
Tuesday 08:45 – 17:30
Wednesday 08:45 – 17:30
Thursday 08:45 – 17:30
Friday 08:45 – 15:55
