A frequently asked question is how do you challenge rateable value? The system in England and Wales is called “Check and Challenge” and is handled by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).
The starting point is to register a business rates valuation account. There is Government guidance online, which should assist.
Once you have opened an online account, you will need to add a property to that account. You will need to provide evidence of your connection to the property.
You will then be able to send a “Check case”, which notifies the VOA that either your property details are correct, or if they are incorrect, the changes to the property details. The VOA may accept your changes and change the rateable value. If not, and you think your rateable value is too high, then you can send a “Challenge case” to the VOA. You can notify the VOA what you think the value should be, but you will need to provide evidence to support your position. The VOA may accept your challenge and change the rateable value. You must complete the “Check case” stage before submitting the “Challenge case”.
If not and you are still unhappy with the decision, in certain circumstances you can appeal the decision. You can ask the independent Valuation Tribunal to review your case if you do not agree with the VOA’s decision. There is a deadline within which to appeal the decisions and take it to the Valuation Tribunal for an independent review, which is presently within 4 months of the challenge decision. You must submit all information relevant to your case and which you want to be considered by the Valuation Tribunal.
