skip through navigation (Access Key = S ) Jump to Accessibility Information (Access Key = 0 ) Jump to Home Page (Access Key = 1 ) Jump to News (Access Key = 2 ) Jump to Site Map (Access Key = 3 ) Jump to Search Box (Access Key = 4 ) Jump to Frequently Asked Questions (Access Key = 5 ) Jump to Help Page (Access Key = 6 ) Jump to Complaints (Access Key = 7 ) Jump to Terms and Conditions (Access Key = 8 ) Jump to Feedback Form (Access Key = 9 ) Jump to content (Access Key = N ) Jump to Business and Advice (Access Key = B ) Jump to Leisure and Culture (Access Key = C ) Jump to Council and Community Diary (Access Key = M ) Jump to Environment and Planning (Access Key = V ) Jump to Community and Learning (Access Key = G ) Jump to Do It Online (Access Key = O ) Jump to Children and Young People (Access Key = P ) Jump to A to Z Services (Access Key = T ) Jump to Your Council (Access Key = Y ) Jump to A too Z site Index (Access Key = Z ) jump to Read Speaker functionality (Access Key = L) Jump to Printer Friendly Version (Access Key = F) Jump to Text Only (Access Key = J) Jump to Change Contrast (Access Key = K)
Appealing against the rateable value
If the facts about your property as shown on the summary valuation or your invoice are correct, but you disagree with the rateable value, you can make a formal appeal.

2010 appeal forms (external website) and 2010 guidance notes (external website) are available and should be sent to the address shown below. For further details please contact:-

Valuation Office Agency
1st Floor
Warwick House
67 Station Road
Redhill
Surrey RH1 1DL
Telephone: 01737 754000
Fax: 01737 754098
Website: www.voa.gov.uk (external website)

Any ratepayer making an appeal should note that the legislation is quite clear in that rates remain due and payable as based on the existing entry in the Valuation List. To reflect this the legislation also allows for payment of interest on any overpayment resulting from an amendment to the Valuation List. Interest is not payable for any financial year where non payment has resulted in a Liability Order being obtained.

Legislation has also been introduced to limit the number of times that an appeal against the 2010 rateable value can be made.

Some ratepayers instruct rating surveyors to advise them on whether their rateable value is acceptable or should be appealed, although there is nothing to prevent an occupier or owner making their own appeal. The Valuation Officer makes no charge for accepting or dealing with an appeal.

The Council cannot recommend a specific source of professional advice but this information (external website) has been issued by a consortium of professional bodies and may assist in making the right choice. Professional rating advice is available from members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) (020 7222 7000 or www.rics.org (external website)), the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) (020 7831 3505 or www.irrv.net (external website)) and the Rating Surveyors Association (RSA) (www.ratingsurveyorsassociation.org (external website)). You may be charged for any advice or assistance given. The RICS has a helpline offering free advice, for the first half-hour, from a local rating surveyor. You can accesss this service by calling the RICS contact centre in the UK. Telephone 0870 333 1600.

Unscrupulous agents often approach ratepayers with apparently tempting offers of help to 'substantially reduce' rates bills. The reality is often less attractive. It is important that you examine carefully the terms and conditions of any contract you are asked to sign.