05 March 2007

Businesses Warned About Unscrupulous Agents

The VOA is responsible for assessing rateable values for business rates and this warning follows a number of serious complaints about agents who are offering unfair contract terms and demanding large sums upfront. Many businesses find themselves under pressure at this time of year from firms selling rating services.

VOA Head of Customer Service, Lynda Rawsthorne says, “If you consider your rateable value is incorrect you can contact your local valuation office, and have your questions answered. Information is also available online at www.voa.gov.uk and www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk. If you have a genuine concern, you can make an appeal directly to the VOA and it costs nothing. Alternatively, if a rating service is not provided under the terms of your lease or agreement, you may wish to appoint an agent to act on your behalf in making an appeal. The vast majority of agents do provide good advice for their clients. However, ratepayers should be on their guard against the minority who promise big savings in rates bills and may fail to deliver.”

She warns, “Look very carefully at the terms of the contract and make sure you understand what you have agreed to pay for and what services are to be provided. A reduction in your rateable value does not automatically mean that your rates bill will be reduced.”

The VOA has dedicated customer services managers who are available to deal directly with the public and provide assistance. The VOA will also arrange to visit ratepayers at their premises if this is a more convenient option.

The VOA advises:

• Beware of the ‘hard sell’ of telesales or doorstep sales people and ask searching questions before you sign anything
• Understand the terms of any contract you are offered and be aware that there may be terms which commit you to a period of service
• Find out if the agent is able and willing to put you in touch with satisfied clients
• Be suspicious of any agent who claims to be able to get a big reduction in your rateable value without inspecting your property or having been instructed by you to review your rating assessment.
• Check the credentials of any agent who claims to be a member of a professional rating body.

The VOA is not alone in issuing such warnings. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), The Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV), the Rating Surveyors Association, the Department for Communities and Local Government and the National Assembly for Wales are all keen that ratepayers should get the best advice about their rates.

Ratepayers can find VOA offices listed in the telephone directory under ‘Valuation Office Agency’. As directories are updated, the entries will appear under ‘Valuation Office’.

The VOA has made changes to the way it deals with the administration of appeals.

All appeals made since 1 April 2005 have been put into a programme showing when the VOA intends to deal with them. The changes were made so that ratepayers have a better idea about when their appeal will be dealt with. The programmes are published on the VOA website www.voa.gov.uk.

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Notes for editors:

About the Valuation Office Agency

1. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is an Executive Agency of HM Revenue and Customs. Its main responsibilities are assessing rateable values for the purpose of non-domestic rating (business rates) and valuing domestic properties for Council Tax purposes in England and Wales. It is also involved in establishing capital values for HM Revenue and Customs in connection with capital gains tax and inheritance tax as well as carrying out a range of property related services for other government departments and public sector bodies. It has around 4,500 employees and a network of 82 offices throughout England, Wales and Scotland, which provide a local service.

2. The rateable value is not the amount to be paid but is a key factor used in the calculation of business rates.

Further information can be found on the website at www.voa.gov.uk

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