GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BUSINESS RATES
Your annual business rates bill is calculated and collected by your local authority however they are not the body responsible for setting the business rates or the body responsible for appealing against such as this is managed by the Valuation Office Agency, which is the central body responsible for the rates and its review.
The council multiply the rateable value set by the VOA with a multiplier set by central government. The multiplier, set by communities in local government in England or the Welsh assembly, represents the number of pence in each pound of rateable value that will be payable in business rates before any reliefs or discounts are applied. It is reviewed each year to reflect changes in inflation.
The central rating lists contain the rating assessments of the network property of major transport, utility and telecommunications undertakings and cross-country pipelines. There is a single entry in the rating list for each company named in The Central Rating List Regulations 2005. There are separate Regulations and lists for England and Wales. There is a single aggregate rateable value shown for all the property occupied by the named ratepayer that falls within their definition in the Regulations. Any property occupied by a central list ratepayer that falls outside the definition will be shown individually in a local rating list.
Rates on central rating list hereditaments in England are paid direct to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and in Wales to the Welsh Assembly Government. The lists show the rateable values currently in force for each ratepayer. Where an earlier entry showed a different rateable value, which is no longer in force
The Valuation Office collect details of actual rents paid from occupiers and landlords, which they break down into a price per square metre. When they analyse the evidence they look at factors like: If there are special terms, such as rent free periods and if there are some parts of the property that are more or less valuable than others. For example, when the Valuation Office analyse the rents of shops, they look at its retail zones if there has been a change in the rental value between the date of the rental agreement and the valuation date. This gives them a range of prices per square metre for: The different types of property in the area. The different parts of each type of property in the area. They then apply the price per square metre to each individual property to set the rateable value Details as taken from the Valuation Office guidelines
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT - No Commission applicable (1a). Duncan Regent Associates Limited herein referred to as the Company, will in respect of the rateable value under the re-evaluation carried out by the Valuation Office, effective from 01st April 2010, 01st April 2015 and 01st April 2020 carry out the following services. (2) Formulate on behalf of the business and submit to the relevant Valuation Office "proposals to alter the current "2010" and "2015" and "2020" ratings list" – (Important – PLEASE LET US KNOW, ON RETURN OF THIS EMAIL if future rating lists is not required) Full terms and conditions of this contract will apply. The proposals will involve the company reviewing the following (3) New competitors that are affecting trade which has started trading since the last ratings list was altered. (4) Any material or physical changes that have taken place in the business or area since the ratings list was last altered. (5) Any additional information that the client may want to add to the proposal, will be given careful consideration if we believe this may benefit the client (6). If required, represent the client at any local Valuation Tribunal. (7). Correspond with the Valuation Office at all times on behalf of the Client in relation to the proposals to alter the rating lists. (7a) Correspond with the client on regular intervals subject to there being new information received concerning the appeal, i.e.: program details, and relevant discussion dates. (8) You agree to Pay within 14 days of receipt of invoice the sum as stated above, representing a fixed administration and consultancy charge (‘the Fee’) for our services + vat (8a) This fee is only payable upon receipt of a case acknowledgement from the Valuation Office which confirms that your rates will undergo a review. (9) No commission is applicable to this agreement (10). If you wish to terminate the Company’s engagement you may do so within seven days of the date of signing this contract. This must be submitted in writing to the Company by recorded delivery post. (11) If you do not pay the Fee when due, the Company reserves the right to suspend any further services until payment has been made in full and may issue proceedings against you for the Fee due and claim for any costs and interest at the prevailing rate. (12) In circumstances where a reduction is not awarded, or your Rateable Value remains unchanged, or in the unlikely event it increases, for the avoidance of doubt, no refund of the Fee will be made. (13) The Client confirms that no other agent has been appointed to act on its behalf and further warrants that without the Company’s prior written consent, shall not appoint any other company or person to act on its behalf in connection with the specified service (14) As appropriate turnover information may be required and this must be provided by the Client. (15) The Company’s liability under this agreement shall be limited to the amount of the Fee. (16) The Client(s) enters into this agreement of their accord and warrants that no representation either oral, written or implied has been made by ‘The Company’ or their agents to induce the Client(s) to enter this agreement other than expressively set herein. (17).The Company will rely solely on the information you provide concerning your exact rent and address. In the event that you supply inaccurate information, this may result in the appeal being invalidated/discharged after Acknowledgement, should this arise, no refund of the fee is due. However, the Company may re-submit your appeal without further charge. (17a) It is also important to disclose information when requested concerning your property and/or trade, even in the event that you may deem certain information irrelevant, as your representatives, we will research the information you supply/provide and determine if its impact will be of assistance to the appeal, ergo; you are also obligated to provide information as requested by the company in order to assist in your appeal, if this information is not supplied in the time scale specified, this may affect the outcome of your appeal. 18.Your agreement today for "The Company" to challenge the 2010, 2015 & 2020 Rating Lists includes enrolment in The Company Automatic Renewal Service (hereinafter referred to as "TCARS"), allowing you to conveniently retain "The Company" services in all matters relating to your Business Rates against future rating lists. By enrolling in "TCARS", you authorize "The Company" to automatically charge the agreed renewal fee (plus applicable v.a.t at that time) to your credit or debit card without any additional action by you prior to the expiration of "The Company" 2010 rating list representation. “The Company” will only action “TCARS” under the following circumstances: a) If the Valuation Office agrees to reduce the 2015 rateable value on your premises prior to the 31st March 2015 or b) If the Valuation Office agrees to issue a valid acknowledgement in relation to any increase in the 2015 rateable value on your premises. You may cancel “TCARS” at any time for any reason prior to sub-clauses a) & b) above taking place, including if you decide to no longer use “The Company” services, by writing to the company by e-mail, fax or recorded delivery post.(19)The laws of England and Wales shall govern this agreement