Calculate your business rates
The amount of business rates you pay is set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).
This amount is based on the rateable value of your property from the valuation date of 1 April 2024.
Find and check your business rates valuation on GOV.UK.
Find out more about business rates valuation.
Business rate multipliers
The rateable value is then multiplied by a figure called the business rates multiplier which is set by the government each year.
From 1 April 2026 the government has replaced Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief with 2 lower multipliers which can apply to any property with a rateable value below £500,000.
There is also a higher multiplier for all properties with a rateable value of £500,000 or more.
2026 to 2027 multipliers
| Rateable value | RHL | Non-RHL |
|---|---|---|
| £0 to £50,999 | 38.2p | 43.2p |
| £51,000 to £499,999 | 43p | 48p |
| £500,000 and over | 50.8p | 50.8p |
To qualify for the lower RHL multipliers, the property must be occupied and wholly or mainly used for a retail, hospitality, or leisure purpose.
Visit GOV.UK for more information on qualifying for retail, hospitality or leisure purposes.
Contact us if:
- you do not meet the conditions but have been charged one of the lower multipliers
- your circumstances change (for example you stop trading) so that you no longer qualify
- you think you should be charged a lower multiplier than the one shown on your bill
Email rates@medway.gov.uk with your payment reference number in the heading.
2019 to 2026 multipliers
| Year | Small multiplier (rateable value less than £51,000) | Standard multiplier (rateable value £51,000 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 49.9p | 55.5p |
| 2024 to 2025 | 49.9p | 54.6p |
| 2023 to 2024 | 49.9p | 51.2p |
| 2022 to 2023 | 49.9p | 51.2p |
| 2021 to 2022 | 49.9p | 51.2p |
| 2020 to 2021 | 49.9p | 51.2p |
| 2019 to 2020 | 49.1p | 50.4p |