Appealing Rates Assessments on Business Premises

Business owners who wish to appeal the 2005 valuation put on their business premises by the Valuation Officer can now do so. Appeals from rates assessments were not permitted until April 2005, when the small business rate relief provisions were introduced. Small business rate relief provisions are available where the valuation of business premises is below £15,000.

Many businesses whose valuations had previously been below this level may see their rates rocket as their new valuations eliminate their small business rate relief provisions.

If you believe your rateable value is too high, consider appealing against it. The 2005 assessment will be effective for a further five years, so an appeal made in the current year could bring years of savings. Acting promptly can have benefits: appeals made before 1 October 2005 will be effective from April 2005, but those made later will be effective only from April 2006.