Auditel Consultant:
David Milnes

Business Rates 2010 Draft Listings Issued – Be Wary

04 Nov 2009 | Filed under: Uncategorized

The Valuation Office have now listed their draft evaluations which will come into effect on 1st April 2010. If you have not yet received yours through the post (due to the ongoing industrial action), then you can view it online at www.voa.gov.uk .

The Valuation Office are urging businesses to check the draft rating valusations as these will be the basis on which business rates are charged from the 1st April 2010.

The new Valuation Office website has been designed to make the process of reviewing your valuatio as quick and easy as possible. By logging on to www.voa.gov.uk/2010 ratepayers will be able to compare their details with other similar properties and, where necessary, contact VOA for assistance. The site offers lots of straightforward help and even short videos on key topics, designed to explain the valuation process.

Each valuation clearly shows the details of the business property, whether it is a shop, an office or a warehouse, including the number of rooms, their description and size, and the value applied to each area.

If you are unsure and want professional advice then please ensure the person you engage is a member of one of the three main representative bodies – the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation, or the Ratings Surveyors Association.

Prior to engagement, ask for a clear breakdown of fees you will be expected to pay and check the details of any contract or agreement you are asked to sign.

Over the next few months it is likely that there will be a plethora of businesses cold calling about rates re-evaluations. Whilst the majority wil be legitimate please be wary of:

Anyone who wants payment for their service up front
Anyone who requests payment for lodging an appeal – this is free
Anyone who makes promises to reduce your rateable value or your business rates bill without knowing the details of your valuation
Bear in mind that a reduction in ratebale value does not necessarily mean a reduction in your rates bill.

If you do need any advice please contact Auditel as we have assisted many of our clients in this matter.