SERVICES
Reduce and appeal business rates
SERVICES
Reduce and appeal business rates
Expert support in challenging and reducing your business rates.
As one of the leading specialist teams in this sector, with decades of experience navigating policy change, we offer a full business rates management and appeals service.
Given they account for up to half of total expenses, taking steps to find business rates savings can be crucial to running a successful business. We help large and small businesses find rates relief, manage rate payments, and support with the appeals process.
Why choose us to challenge your rates
Comprehensive service
From checking rateable value and valuation areas, to monitoring for changes in locality and other properties with adjustments, we maintain a holistic view of your business rates.
Vast experience
We advise on all property sectors including offices, industrial and retail premises, and specialist properties like hotels, theatres, leisure facilities, museums and power plants.
Qualified support
Our seasoned experts are members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV).
Our business rates appeal services
To help build your business rates challenge and gain a potential reduction, we provide
- Complete rate account management, including treasury functionality
- In-house empty rate mitigation for void properties
- Comprehensive historic rate account audit
- Full council tax and build-to-rent account management
- 360 reviews of current rating valuations
- Full check and challenge service
- Representation at valuation tribunal hearings
Calculate your business rates.
Find out how much you should pay.
Frequently asked questions
Can I appeal my business rates?
There are three things you can appeal to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). These are: the rateable value (RV) of your property, whether your property should appear in the rating list separately or as part of another property, or whether your property should appear in the rating list.
How do I submit an appeal?
Before you can appeal your rateable value, you need to go through the Valuation Office Agency鈥檚 (VOA) process, which consists of two stages: check and challenge. During your appeal, the tribunal can only look at the evidence shared as part of the VOA submission. If you鈥檙e not happy with the VOA鈥檚 decision, you can appeal, but you鈥檒l need to do this within four months.
When should I appeal my business rates?
You can make an appeal to change your rateable value in a number of circumstances
- An incorrect valuation. Does it match the rent from 2021?
- The areas valued. Have all correct locations been included?
- Your property. Has it been incorrectly split into more than one listing, or combined with others into a single listing?
- The reference scheme number. Does it match the age and location of your premises?
- A material change to your property. These may include
- New developments in the area
- New roads, closures or changes to access routes
- Change of use
- Competition
Where can I find my rateable value?
Your business rate is based on your property鈥檚 rateable value (RV). This can be found on the online rating list on the .
How is my rateable value calculated?
The calculation is the responsibility of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). It uses a number of different methods to determine your rateable value, depending on the type of property you have, its size, and how it's used. The rateable value is based on the yearly rent the property would achieve as of April 2021.
How can I check my rateable value?
To see your relatable value calculation, go to the , and find the section called 鈥楬ow the rateable value was calculated鈥�, followed by 鈥榁aluation details鈥�. It鈥檒l include things like the number of floors, and other expenses like car parking. In this case, you鈥檒l also see the area (m2) and the number of car spaces. In the 鈥楽ummary valuation鈥� section, there鈥檚 a scheme reference number for your property.
How can I submit a check?
If any of the details in your rateable value calculation are incorrect, you can make an application to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to correct them. You鈥檒l need to be registered with the first. The check should provide enough detail for the VOA to easily understand the proposed changes.
What should I do if nothing needs to be checked but I still want to appeal?
Even if there are no errors, a check must still be completed to be able to submit a challenge to the Valuation Office鈥檚 valuation of your property.
How do I submit a rates challenge?
Once you have your check decision, you have 4 months to review the scope to challenge the valuation. The exception is where you have included an external matter, such as adjacent building works, which you believe should qualify you for a reduction in your check. In this case, you have 16 months from the date the check took place.
What can I use to challenge my rates valuation?
Prior to submitting a challenge, it鈥檚 important to bear in mind rateable values can go up as well as down. With the rateable value based on the annual rent the property would achieve, as at a fixed valuation date of April 2021, important pieces of evidence that might challenge this include
- If there was an open market rent agreed on the property near to this date
- Other leases on similar property in the locality, which were agreed close to the relevant statutory date
This would enable you to weight your own rent against others to determine if there is a material difference.
What if the Valuation Office Agency doesn't agree with me?
The VOA is required to issue a decision within 18 months of the challenge submission. If you鈥檙e unhappy then an appeal can be lodged with the Valuation Tribunal. This currently costs £150 or £300, based on the size of your business. If your appeal is a success, you鈥檒l be refunded your fee. More details of how to submit your claim can be found on the .
What happens if I don’t hear from the Valuation Office within 18 months?
If the VOA doesn鈥檛 send its challenge decision notice within 18 months of making your challenge, the appeal is free.
How many challenges can I make?
There is only one right to lodge a challenge, so you should seek professional advice if you can. You can appeal once on each of the grounds. For example, you can appeal an incorrect valuation and for a material change to your property, but you can't appeal an incorrect valuation twice.
