TOP TIPS
What to check ?
1. If your assessment is less than £18,000 you may be able to claim Small Business Rate Relief. You need to make a claim with your council. If you are eligible (only have one or two business units) and your main assessment is less than £6000 then you only pay 50%. If your assessment is between £6000 and £12000 the reduction is on a sliding scale. Between £12000 and £18000 then the rate poundage is reduced to 40.7p.
2. Check your assessment on www.voa.gov.uk. You can find your assessment by searching for your postcode. You can then check your valuation. Check that the floor area is correct, the property is described properly i.e. it is describe as a factory if it is a factory and not as an office. Check any additions for air conditioning, plant or car parking are correct. You can click on the scheme reference and this will tell you how they have valued the property and will list other properties valued on the same basis. You can look up your neighbour’s property to see how it is valued.
3. You can appeal on line against the assessment if you think something is wrong. The appeal may well take sometime to be considered and in the meantime you must pay your rates installments in full.
If you need advise contact Erica Barker on 01635 589119 or on ericabarker@highcross.co.uk
