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Part five: More information
In this section we will tell you about
- where to get more advice
- employing a rating adviser
Q47 Who should I contact for more information?
The www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk website
This is the main source of information on non-domestic rates for businesses. It provides advice and guidance and links to other sources of information on business rates.
Valuation Office Agency (VOA)
For more advice about the valuation of your property or how to make a proposal, you should contact your valuation officer. Look under ‘Valuation Office’ in your phone book. Full details of local offices are also available on the VOA website at www.voa.gov.uk
Valuation Tribunals
You can get more information on the work of the valuation tribunals, and copies of all of their guides on their website at www.valuation-tribunals.gov.uk
Or, you can contact your local valuation tribunal office. You can find them in the phone book or get their number from your local valuation office or local council.
Local council
If you have any questions about any part of your bill, including transitional arrangements and whether you are entitled to any relief, you should contact your local council. Their address and phone number will be shown on your business rates bill.
Q48 Should I employ a rating adviser?
You do not have to be represented in discussions about your rateable value or your business rates bill. You can make a proposal against your rateable value free of charge. However, you may want to employ a rating adviser. Members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) are qualified and are regulated by rules of professional conduct designed to protect the public from misconduct.
You can find details of these organisations and their members on their websites:
- RICS – www.rics.org.uk
- IRRV – www.irrv.org.uk
Before you employ a rating adviser, you should check that they have the necessary knowledge and expertise, as well as appropriate indemnity insurance.
You should also be wary of false or misleading claims. We are aware of advisers who do not explain, for example, that if your rateable value is reduced, this may not necessarily lead to your business rates being reduced. This is because there are limits on how much business rates bills can change from year to year (see the section on transitional relief in part one).
Please be careful before you enter into any contract. If necessary, take advice before you do so. And bear in mind that no matter how persuasive they may be, rating surveyors cannot guarantee that your rateable value will be reduced. This always depends on the agreement of a valuation officer, or the decision of a valuation tribunal or higher court.
Published 2 July 2007
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