Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 68418 on Business Rates: Valuation, how many hereditaments in the flexible workplace and serviced office sector have had their rateable values increased following the changes to the Valuation Office Agency’s practice on how such properties should be valued for business rates; and whether such amendments have been applied retrospectively.

As a result of case law developments, the VOA have concluded that, rather than each room within a serviced office being assessed separately, many serviced offices may need to be assessed as a single property, unless clear evidence demonstrates a need to have separate assessments.

Each serviced office is looked at on a case-by-case basis, and the VOA are addressing properties where they have received legal advice, or where unit of assessment issues are brought to its attention.

The VOA will continue to monitor legal developments and update its approach as needed.