Business rates - Rateable values and appeals

The Listing Officer of the Valuation Office Agency (part of the Inland Revenue) has set a rateable value for every non-domestic property, apart from those that are exempt from business rates. 

The rateable value broadly represents the yearly rent a property could have been let for on the open market on a particular date. The valuation office revalues properties every five years. For the revaluation that took effect from 1 April 2005, this date was set as 1 April 2003. 

You can appeal against your rateable value.  An appeal will not be backdated beyond the start of the financial year in which it is made. If you want to appeal, you should contact: 

The Listing Officer Valuation Office Agency Wingate House 93-107 Shaftesbury Avenue London W1V 8BU. 
Telephone: 020 7445 0500  Email londonwestministergroup.vo@voa.gsi.gov.uk Website: www.voa.gov.uk 

Even if you appeal, you must continue to pay your business rates based on the existing rateable value of your property. If your appeal is successful, we will send you a refund for any overpayment that you have made.

Other useful factsheets:
Rating advisors
The valuation tribunal
bands and rateable values explained
explanatory notes (accompany bills)

and the valuation tribunal service pdf: www.valuation-tribunals.gov.uk/guidance-notes/Advice.pdf