mybusinessrates.gov.uk/wales the official government website

Appealing against your rateable value

If the facts about your property as shown on the summary valuation are correct, but you disagree with the rateable value, you can make a formal appeal.

There are several circumstances in which you may feel it is appropriate to appeal against your rateable value. You may believe it is too high in comparison with similar properties, you may have made alterations to your property that reduce its value, or the property may now be exempt from rating. Making an appeal against your rateable value is known as making a proposal to change the rating list. You can make an appeal against your 2005 assessment at any time, but the effective date of any resulting change may be affected by the date the proposal was submitted.  You may only appeal once against the rateable value originally given to your property and once against any change that may occur.

You can appeal directly to the VOA; this costs nothing. Your local Valuation Office will be able to provide the appropriate appeal form. Its address is on the letter that accompanies your summary valuation. Your local Valuation Office has staff available to deal with you directly and help you complete an appeal form. Alternatively, you can appeal online on the VOA website.

Some ratepayers instruct rating surveyors to advise them on whether their rateable value is acceptable or should be appealed. You do not have to instruct a professional adviser, you can contact your local Valuation Officer who, in most cases, will be able to sort things out. Professional rating advice is available from members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) (020 7222 7000 or online), the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) (020 7831 3505 or www.irrv.org.uk) 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.

The Valuation Office will acknowledge your appeal in writing within 10 working days and confirm what it will be doing next. If necessary, a Valuation Officer may arrange to visit your premises. Most cases are settled by agreement between ratepayers and their local Valuation Officers. If it is not possible to resolve the appeal through discussion, it may be heard by an independent valuation tribunal.  It should be noted that some appeal cases can take some time before they are resolved.