Promoting and enhancing best practice and technical expertise

The 25th National Rating Day

The National Rating Day has become a major fixture in the Rating calendar. It is the largest gathering of rating practitioners year on year; and is a must attend event if you work within the profession. This hybrid event looks at the here and now, policy and reform and best and effective practice. Speakers represent the private sector, the Valuation Office Agency and the Valuation Tribunal Service. 

Module Duration: 6 hours 4 minutes

Recorded: 05/06/2025

Areas covered

Policy Matters

Transforming Business Rates

  • The Government’s long term ambition for business rates
  • Lower multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) and how to fund it
  • Protecting the smallest properties
  • Protecting the tax base through General Anti Avoidance Regulations
  • Delivering faster and more frequent revaluations

The Views of Private Practice on Transforming Business Rates


Getting Properties into Use: Fresh Start v Property Auctions

  • Fresh Start relief in Scotland
    • Description of Fresh Start Relief
    • Policy intent and analysis of impact
  • Property Auctions in England   
    • Description of High Street Rental Auctions 
    • Why are they being introduced?
    • Brief outline of the process & which councils are the early adopters?
  • Contrasting policies?

Delivering NDR Reforms

The Next Generation Rating Programme for Delivering NDR Reforms

  • What reforms are confirmed?
  • Their progress and time lines and next steps
  • Progress on the VOA’s IT systems
  • The future of ratepayer, advisors and VOA engagement
  • Information duty on ratepayers
  • Changes to the Check, Challenge and Appeal system

What Happened Next? An Update on Agent Standards, Customer Compliance and Penalties

  • VOA’s compliance focus
  • Agent Standards
  • CCA penalties

Reval Matters

Reval 2026

  • Learning to live with the 3 year cycle 
  • Is a shortened AVD on the cards?
  • Variations from previous years

Review of the Sectors

  • Retail
  • Offices
  • Industrial, including online distribution sheds

Practice Matters

Fit Out: Adjusting Rents and Rateable Values for ‘Fit Out’ from Shell

  • How are the principles around Fit Out being applied to other property types?
  • Offices
  • Shops
  • Other property classes
  • Will this capture “green” adaptations to buildings?
  • Possible friction with completion notices and Improvement Relief
  • What could be rateable on shop/restaurant fit? 

Judicial Matters

Tribunal Matters – A Panel Discussion

Rating surveyors must stay abreast of what’s happening in the Courts and Tribunal system.

  • The evolution of expectations on the parties that take cases
  • Expectations of expert witnesses at Valuation Tribunal and in the Upper Tribunal
  • The evolution of expectations on the parties that take cases
  • Complying with those expectations  
  • How the system stays fit for purpose?
  • Weighting evidence – changing the burden of proof
  • Requirements from professional bodies post Cheshire Lounge

Case Law Update

  • Dan Kolinsky KC provides his annual review of significant caselaw and topical legal developments affecting the rating world 

Speakers