RVA Surveyors sign up businesses with an offer to recover overpaid rates and secure a reduction in future business rates, for a percentage of any sums recovered which is usually 45% plus VAT.
Whilst most businesses are happy to pay a one-off fee what they do not realise and what is not made clear before entering into a contract, is that they are often signing up to a minimum of a 5-year contract, with payments to be paid annually.
What many small businesses are not often aware of is that with effect from 1 April 2017 any small business occupying premises already in receipt of small business rate relief (“SBRR”) were no longer required to re-apply for it. Therefore, the relief is automatic.
Within the small print of the contract it usually states ““The fee will be payable whether or not RVA is shown to be the effective cause of any such reduction in the rateable value (including any repayment of rates, relief, reliefs and refunds).”
If you have any concerns regarding your business rates, please contact Summerfield Browne Solicitors
Summerfield Browne have offices in Leicester, Birmingham, London, Oxford, Cambridge and Market Harborough.
