How It Works
Basics of Rates
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for assessing all businesses and non-domestic properties throughout England and Wales, giving each premise a Rateable Value. Rateable Value is a key factor in the calculation of business rates but is not what you actually pay.
Essentially, the Rateable Value is a figure based on the annual rent for a property, if it was available to let on the open market on a set date. All current Rateable Values are based on rental figures from the valuation date of 1st April 2015
Local councils use the Rateable Value in conjunction with a factor called the multiplier. The multiplier is used to calculate the basic business rates liability for each property, before applying any necessary discounts or reliefs. Local councils are responsible for sending out the bills and collecting the rates payable.
The multiplier, also known as the Uniform Business Rate (UBR) is set annually by Communities and Local Governments in England and the Welsh Assembly Government in Wales. This determines the percentage (expressed also as pence on the pound) of the Rateable Value of your property, that you will pay in business rates.
The Process
In the first stage, the ratepayer formally checks with the valuation officer (VO) the details of their assessment. This is the start of the process and sets what is called the “material day” by which the assessment is to be considered. This in turn affects the date from which any amendment to the assessment may become effective.
The ratepayer, or their agent, confirms the specifics of the property which the VO has used in order to reach their valuation. If the VO’s information is suspected to be inaccurate, they then submit any revised information as a formal declaration to be considered.
Once the check stage has been concluded, a very detailed proposal may be submitted to the VOA setting out the precise details and evidence to support the proposed alteration. This must be submitted by the ratepayer or their agent within a 4 month window after of the conclusion of the Check stage.
When the Challenge stage has concluded, the ratepayer or agent will receive a decision notice. If the challenge concluded without the desired resolution, the ratepayer or their agent has 4 months in which they may appeal to the Valuation Tribunal for England. In rare cases, from there an appeal to the Upper Tribunal, and potentially the upper courts, may be made.
It is hoped that the vast majority of cases never reach this stage and are satisfactorily dealt with during the first two stages.
Private & Public Sector
Experience conducting extensive negotiations with private practise and public sector in areas across the Northwest, Yorkshire,London, East Anglia and South-East of the country.
Portfolio Building
We are currently building breadth to our portfolio working with businesses across Wales helping them reduce their business rates as of April 2017.
Why choose us?
Our team consists of great professionals ready to settle your business rates, using our vast knowledge and experience to close a deal. Be one of the many companies we are helping to pay less and keep their cash!
