Valuation Office Agency VOA
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) gives the UK government valuations and property advice to support taxation and benefits, both at the national level and for local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland. It is an executive agency of HM Revenue & Customs and employs more than 3,600 staff, also providing valuation and surveying services to public sector bodies.
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) was established on 30 September 1991 as a Next Steps Agency of the Inland Revenue. It was formed from the merger of the Valuation Office organisations in England, Wales and in Scotland. It is now an executive agency of Her ( His ) Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The VOA’s work covers the following areas:
- Domestic council tax - compiling and maintaining lists of council tax bands for 26 million domestic properties.
- Non-domestic rating - compiling and maintaining lists detailing the rateable value of 2.1 million commercial properties for business rates.
- Advice - advising ministers on valuation, property matters and benefits.
- Valuations - providing independent and impartial valuation and professional property advice across the public sector.
- Community Infrastructure Levy - decides appeals against the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
- Right to Buy - provides determinations of value for Right to Buy (RTB) in England and Wales.
- Rent Officers - determining Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates across England, advising local authorities of the maximum subsidy level payable for housing benefit claims under the local reference rent system and maintaining a register of fair rents for regulated tenancies in England.
- Customer Charter - explains how they work in collaboration to deliver professional and expert customer services experience.
For further information visit the VOA website directly here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Guide to ISO 19650 for Architecture Firms (2026)
A user gives their low down.
A UK training and membership provider for mould remediation professionals.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
Independent NSI and BAFE study exploring how organisations are changing the way they buy fire safety services.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.