Use the right national guidance
England and Wales share the valuation register searched on this website, but their billing and relief rules differ. England: how rates are calculated ↗ · Wales: business rates guidance ↗
YOUR PROPERTY / YOUR QUESTIONS
Understand your business rates bill.
Start with the property, the period and the amount being requested. Open each line below to see what it means, then use your own records for the next step.
The property and the ratepayer+
Match the address and any unit number to the premises you occupy. Keep the business name, account reference and dates together when you ask about a charge. Portrait can link several premises and liable businesses under one instruction.
Rateable value+
This is a valuation used to calculate business rates. It is different from the amount payable on the bill. The published property record helps explain the assessment. How rateable value is used ↗
Multiplier or poundage+
The valuation is combined with the tax rate that applies to the property and billing year. That rate can vary by nation and property category. Check the current guidance for the country where the premises are located; a percentage change in rateable value alone does not tell you the change in the bill.
Reliefs and adjustments+
A bill can include reductions or other adjustments under the applicable rules. The name, period and amount of each entry matter. Eligibility needs the property and business circumstances; this guide does not decide an entitlement. Relief guidance for England ↗
The period, instalments and balance+
Read the dates covered by the charge, any payments or credits already recorded, and the instalment schedule. Keep earlier and revised notices together so the team can follow what changed. Ask the billing authority to explain an entry you cannot reconcile.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scottish rates use the Scottish valuation roll and the applicable poundage. Northern Ireland has its own rating system administered by Land & Property Services. Portrait can accept an address for manual review if it is outside the website’s England and Wales register. Scotland: rates calculations ↗ · Northern Ireland: properties and rates ↗
Bring the bill and the property together
A useful first review starts with the current bill, the property address and the question you want answered. Existing customers can upload a bill or document in My Account. If you are new to Portrait, start with a property report or contact the team. We will explain the scope and any terms before you instruct work.
Keep the record useful.
Free monitoring is being prepared to help businesses follow their property records and bills. Registering interest saves your request for the team; it does not open an account or appoint Portrait.