The Valuation Office Agency is urging businesses to protect themselves from rogue business rates agents who’ve started to operate since new rateable values for business properties came into effect in April 2023.
Councils used these new values to calculate business rates bills, but businesses can challenge their valuation if they think it’s incorrect. They can use a rating agent do this.
Alan Colston, Chief Valuer at the VOA, said: “Be cautious of anyone who guarantees they can secure big business rates reductions. The vast majority of agents are reputable and provide a good service. But there is a small minority promising big reductions in business rates, based on incorrect information.
“These rogue agents often charge substantial fees for providing poor quality submissions using our online Check and Challenge service, which is free to use.
“We strongly advise businesses do their own research and explore different options before appointing an agent. Make sure you choose your own agent – don’t let an agent choose you.
“And remember, you can manage your business rates yourself by creating a Business Rates Valuation Account on GOV.UK.”
The VOA offers a checklist to help businesses intending to use an agent:
- Anyone can call themselves an agent, but this does not mean they are a member of a professional body. Check an agent’s background before signing a contract.
- If an agent is a member of the Rating Surveyor’s Association (RSA), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), or Institute of Revenues, Rating, Valuation (IRRV), they must follow rating agent standards. This provides business owners with extra reassurance.
- Check the length of a contract before signing. Rogue agents have been known to tie business owners into costly, long-term agreements.
- Make sure you read the small print and fully understand the services you are paying for. Legitimate agents should not pressure you into signing a contract, or demand large sums of money up front.
- Familiarise yourself with the VOA’s Check service and create a Business Rates Valuation Account to manage your property and view correspondence between the VOA and your agent.
- It is your responsibility to ensure the information your agent provides to the VOA is correct.
Gary L Watson, IRRV Chief Executive, said: “Ratepayers should take extreme care when employing agents. It is easy for rogue agents to create the impression that they are a reputable organisation.
“Business owners should make sure that any agent belongs to a professional body, like IRRV, RICS or RSA. The agent will then be subject to that body’s rigorous disciplinary procedure.
“Furthermore, you can obtain advice on many issues from the VOA or your local council. Applications for relief should be made direct to your local council without having to engage with a rating agent.”
