REVAL2026 Rates Update

Land and Property Services (LPS) is carrying out a revaluation of non-domestic businesses. This revaluation will determine new Net Annual Values (NAVs) for all businesses, which will be used to calculate rates bills from 2026–27 until the next revaluation occurs. The LPS is now reaching out to businesses to request financial data – specifically turnover figures for the trading years 2021 to 2024.

In Northern Ireland, there is a specific rating scheme for hotels, based on turnover by type and grade. A copy of this scheme is attached below for your reference. The new NAVs are expected to be issued in Autumn 2025, at which point businesses will have the opportunity to review and, if necessary, challenge their valuation. Please note: challenges must be supported by full accounts if these have not already been submitted.

We have reviewed the LPS’s current spreadsheet and identified several anomalies, as well as issues with correspondence not reaching the appropriate recipients. We will go back to them with our amendments.

Key points to note:

• Over the past three years, hotels have benefitted from an average 30% reduction in NAV as part of post-COVID relief package. This support will end in 2026. An example illustrating this is included in the linked NI Rate Poundages document.
• The revised NAVs will reflect increased turnover, but will not consider changes in profitability.
• Rates are calculated by applying the combined regional and local council rate poundages to each property’s NAV.
• Rate poundages are expected to rise in 2026–27. Even if a property’s NAV remains unchanged, rates bills will increase significantly due to both the withdrawal of COVID relief and the projected rise in poundages.

It is essential that members are aware of this, so they can plan and budget accordingly.

To support our members through this process, Nick Rose from RHM has kindly offered to assist in negotiating with the LPS. We are currently looking into the cost implications and possible benefits of this support and will follow up shortly with further information.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the above in more detail, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by phone or email.