Find out what business rate reliefs am I entitled to

Rate reductions, reliefs and rateable value appeals - rating advisers

Ratepayers do not have to be represented in discussions about their rateable value, appeals, reliefs or their rates bill. All of these can be done free of charge. However, ratepayers who do wish to be represented should be aware that members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Rating Surveyors Association and the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation are qualified and are regulated by rules of professional conduct and ethics designed to protect the public from misconduct and overcharging.

Before you employ a rating adviser, you should check that they have the necessary knowledge and expertise, as well as appropriate indemnity insurance.

Take great care and, if necessary, seek further advice before entering into any contract or agreement.

'Cowboy' rating advisers may well be cold calling in your area offering big savings in your business rate bill!

Please be aware though - these operators are highly unlikely to be professionally qualified and may make fraudulent promises to secure large reductions in your rates bill so as to obtain early payments from you of up to several hundred pounds!

Once you've paid them you are unlikely to be able to seek redress, except through the courts, and an ill-considered appeal could even increase your rates bill.

 Four claims to check:

1. "We have a team of qualified professionals". Do they? Check the firm and the individuals with the professional bodies listed above.
2. "We have achieved by %%% reductions for several clients". Demand the names and telephone numbers of past clients and ring them to check.
3. "We can get huge %%% reductions on your property". If they make these claims before making a full investigation of your property, they may be 'cowboys'.
4. "You will have nothing to pay unless we succeed". Whatever their salesman may say, demand to see a copy of their contract. Free advice can be obtained from the RICS helpline number 024 7686 8555. Be careful if the contract entitles the firm to a percentage of the reduction in Rateable Value. This may not necessarily lead to a saving in the rates you have to pay.

Find out what business rate reliefs am I entitled to

You may be entitled to a reduction of your business rates (non-domestic rates, or NNDR) charge if your business occupies a non-domestic rated property with a rateable value of less than £51,000.

• Properties with a rateable value below £12,000 receive a 100% reduction on the non-domestic rate charge. This will decrease on a sliding scale by 1% for every £30 rateable value between £12,001 and £14,999.
• Properties with a rateable value between £15,000 and £50,999 will not receive an additional rate reduction, but will pay rates based on the lower multiplier of 49.9p (rather than 54.6p).

Should your circumstances change, such as occupation of an additional property or an increase in rateable value, you must notify us within 4 weeks or you could lose your relief entitlement.

See our small business rate relief page.