Offices & Industrial Business Rates Review

If you occupy an office, warehouse or industrial unit, your rateable value may not reflect current market rental levels.

Office and industrial markets have shifted significantly in recent years due to changing working patterns, logistics demand and lease structures.

Use our free eligibility check to see whether your premises may qualify for further review.

Why Office & Industrial Properties Can Be Over-Assessed

Offices and industrial assets are highly influenced by rental evidence and market demand.

Factors that can impact rateable values include:

Reduced demand for secondary office space.
Hybrid working affecting occupancy levels.
Increased supply in certain business parks.
Lease incentives not reflected in historic data.
Industrial rental volatility across regions.
Changes in layout or usable space.

Valuations often rely on historic rental comparables that may no longer reflect achievable market terms. Even modest adjustments to rateable value can produce meaningful savings over several years.

Office and industrial properties are generally valued using floor area, location and comparable rental evidence at the valuation date. If market conditions have evolved, the assessment basis may require review. Read more about how commercial rateable values are assessed to understand the methodology applied.

For the basics first, read how the Valuation Office sets your rateable value.

What Types of Office & Industrial Premises Can Be Reviewed?

We commonly see reviews requested for: City centre offices, Business park offices, Serviced office space, Warehouses, Distribution centres, Light industrial units, Manufacturing facilities, Trade counters.

Whether you operate a single unit or multiple sites, a review may be appropriate.

How Much Could An Office or Industrial Rates Reduction Be Worth?

Reductions vary depending on property size, lease evidence and location. Where a rateable value exceeds current rental evidence, a reduction could:

Lower ongoing annual business rates.
Improve operational cash flow.
Reduce cumulative exposure across a portfolio.

In some cases, reductions can equate to several thousand pounds per year, depending on unit size and market conditions.

Signs Your Office or Industrial Property May Be Over-Assessed

You may wish to investigate further if:

Rental levels have softened since your valuation date.
Comparable units are letting at lower rates.
Incentives were offered at lease renewal.
Vacancy levels have increased locally.
Your space has been reconfigured or partially unused.
Market demand has shifted in your area.

Even small valuation adjustments to rateable value can deliver long-term financial benefits.

What Happens After You Submit An Office or Industrial Review?

If the initial check suggests there may be grounds for review:

Property details are assessed by an independent specialist.
Floor area, location and comparable lettings for similar units are reviewed against your assessment.
If appropriate, a formal challenge may be submitted.
Fees are typically contingent on a successful outcome.

There is no obligation to proceed following the initial assessment.

For full details, see: What Happens Next

Multi-Site Office & Industrial Portfolios

If you operate multiple offices, depots or industrial units, a structured portfolio review may identify opportunities across several locations simultaneously.

Co-ordinated multi-site reviews can: Identify inconsistencies between similar assets, Check floor areas and comparable lettings across the portfolio in one pass, Reduce cumulative rates exposure.

See our Business Rates Portfolio Review page for more information.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth appealing business rates for an office or warehouse?

Worth investigating if rental levels in your area have softened since April 2024, comparable units are letting at lower rates, or your space has been reconfigured or partially unused since the valuation date. Office and industrial rateable values rely heavily on floor area and location-based rental comparables, so shifts in either are common grounds.

Can an office rates appeal increase my business rates?

Rarely. Offices and industrial units are valued on floor area, location and comparable lettings, so the main risks are a floor area recorded below the true figure, a mezzanine or extension added since the valuation date, or comparable units letting at more than your assessment assumes. A preliminary review checks the measured area and the local lettings evidence before a Check is submitted.

How long does an industrial rates review take?

The free initial check is instant. A formal Check typically takes a few weeks to a few months to be acknowledged; the Challenge stage usually takes six to eighteen months. Any reduction is backdated to the date the Check was submitted.

Do I need lease documentation to submit a review?

Not for the initial free eligibility check — that only needs your postcode, property type and rateable value. Lease documentation and rental evidence become important at the formal Challenge stage, where they're used to support the case for a lower valuation.