How are business rates calculated for 2026/27?

From April 2026, business rates use a new five-tier multiplier system based on your rateable value and property type. The multiplier ranges from 38.2p (small RHL) to 50.8p (large properties with RV over £500,000). Your bill is calculated as Rateable Value × Multiplier, minus any applicable reliefs.

What is transitional relief for business rates?

Transitional relief caps how much your bill can increase in one year following a revaluation. For 2026/27, small properties are capped at a 5% increase, medium properties at 15%, and large properties at 30% compared to their previous bill.

How can VacatAd help reduce my empty property rates?

VacatAd uses technology-driven beneficial occupation to establish genuine use of vacant commercial properties. This resets Empty Property Relief periods, directly reducing your rates liability. Our model is compliant with current legislation including the 13-week occupation rule.

Business Rates Calculator 2026/27

Enter your old and new rateable values to see your estimated bill under the new five-tier multiplier system — and discover how much VacatAd could save you on empty property rates.

New 5-tier multipliers Transitional relief built in VacatAd savings estimate

Your Estimated Rates 2026/27

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Multiplier applied —

Basic bill (before reliefs) —

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How Much Could VacatAd Save You?

Our beneficial occupation model cycles 13 weeks of genuine use with your property’s Empty Property Relief period — maximising rates-free weeks every year.

Empty property relief cycle —

Rates-free weeks per year —

Potential annual saving

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VacatAd fee (—%)

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Net annual saving

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Net monthly saving: —

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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on the 2026/27 multipliers and published relief schemes. Actual bills are determined by your local billing authority. Rateable values are set by the Valuation Office Agency. For definitive figures, contact your local council. GOV.UK Business Rates Estimator

Understanding the 2026/27 Changes

The biggest business rates overhaul in a decade — here’s what’s changed.

Five-Tier Multipliers

The old two-tier system has been replaced with five multipliers ranging from 38.2p to 50.8p, differentiated by property size and whether it qualifies as Retail, Hospitality or Leisure.

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Transitional Relief Caps

Bill increases are capped in year one: 5% for small properties, 15% for medium, and 30% for large. Decreases pass through immediately with no cap.

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Empty Property Impact

With rateable values rising 19.2% nationally and the 13-week occupation rule in effect, empty property costs are higher than ever. VacatAd’s beneficial occupation model can help.

Paying Too Much on Empty Property Rates?

VacatAd has achieved 100% success across 250+ UK properties. Get your free assessment and find out how much you could save.