Appealing against the rateable value
APPEALING AGAINST THE RATEABLE VALUE
If the facts about your property as shown on the summary valuation are correct, but you disagree with the proposed rateable value, you can make a formal appeal.
2005 appeal forms and 2005 guidance notes are available and should be sent to the address shown below. For further details please contact:-
Valuation Office Agency
Betchworth House
57-65 Station Road
Redhill
Surrey
RH1 1QB
Telephone: 01737 754000
Fax: 01737 754098
Website: www.voa.gov.uk
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 2005 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 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 ), the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) (020 7831 3505 or www.irrv.net ) and the Rating Surveyors Association (RSA) (www.ratingsurveyorsassociation.org). 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. Call it on 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.