Fees & Process
Simple. Transparent. No win, no fee.
Using Rating Matters costs you nothing. If we identify a viable case and introduce you to a specialist surveyor, that surveyor works on a single, straightforward fee: 25% of whatever they save you, paid only after your rates bill has actually been reduced.
If nothing is saved, nothing is owed - to anyone.
How it works in three steps
Free audit
Submit your property address. We run a desk-based analysis of your 2026 rateable value against comparable properties and market evidence in your area. If the evidence supports a reduction, we tell you exactly what we think you could save and introduce you to a specialist surveyor. If it doesn't, we close the file and let you know - no charge either way.
Cost to you: nothing.
Surveyor introduction
Where a case exists, we match you with a vetted, RICS-qualified rating surveyor with direct experience of the 2026 revaluation in your sector and region. Your surveyor reviews the evidence, confirms the fee in writing - 25% of the estimated annual saving - and takes on the case. You sign one document authorising them to act on your behalf. That's the last thing we ask you to do.
Cost to you: nothing at this stage.
Your surveyor does the rest
Your surveyor handles everything from here - the formal submission, all correspondence with the government, negotiations, and any tribunal proceedings if needed. You don't attend any meetings or hearings. If they secure a reduction, their fee is 25% of the first year's saving achieved. If they don't, you pay nothing.
Cost to you: 25% of what you save, only if you save it.
What does 25% actually mean?
The surveyor's fee is paid once - from the first year's saving only. After that, the saving is yours in full for the remaining life of the rating list.
Here's a straightforward example.
| Property detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Property type | Warehouse unit, West Midlands |
| Current rateable value | £150,000 |
| Target rateable value (based on evidence) | £95,000 |
| Reduction | £55,000 |
| Annual rates saving | £28,160 |
Year 1
| Fee breakdown | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual rates saving | £28,160 |
| Surveyor fee - paid once (25%) | £7,040 |
| You keep | £21,120 |
Year 2 onwards
| Fee breakdown | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual rates saving | £28,160 |
| Surveyor fee | £0 |
| You keep | £28,160 every year |
The 2026 rating list runs until March 2029. A successful challenge from 2026 means up to three years of saving.
Annual saving calculated using the 2026 standard non-domestic multiplier of 0.512. This is an illustration. Actual results depend on your property, the comparable evidence available and the VOA's position.
Timeline
How long does it take?
The honest answer: 2 to 3 years in most cases. That's not us - it's the government's own process. Challenges go through the Valuation Office Agency and, if needed, an independent tribunal.
The good news is that your involvement ends after Step 2. Your surveyor manages everything from there and keeps you updated at key points.
| Stage | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| CheckGovernment confirms property details | Up to 12 months |
| ChallengeEvidence submitted, VOA negotiates | 18 to 36 months |
| AppealTribunal, if needed | Additional time, varies |
Most cases settle at Challenge stage and never reach tribunal.
Straight answers to the obvious questions
No small print.
No. We only progress cases where the evidence is strong, and we'll tell you clearly if we don't think a challenge is worth making. But the final decision rests with the Valuation Office Agency - no one can guarantee the outcome.
The fee is based on the actual saving achieved. If the reduction is smaller than estimated, the fee reduces proportionally. If there's no reduction, there's no fee.
One thing: use your Government Gateway login to appoint your surveyor as your agent with the VOA. We send you a step-by-step guide and you can call us if you get stuck. After that, your involvement ends.
We're not a surveying firm. The surveyors we introduce you to are all RICS-qualified and regulated, and operate under the joint RICS, IRRV and Rating Surveyors' Association code of practice for rating consultancy.