Business Rates Review

A new Rating List came into effect on 1 April 2017. This meant that businesses rateable values were reviewed, often resulting in increased rates liability. At the same time the government changed the appeals procedure making it far more onerous and difficult, both to submit appeals and potentially to get good results.

As rating specialists we were already in negotiation with the Valuation Office in respect of a 2010 List appeal on a pub/restaurant in Bury St Edmunds when the new 2017 rateable values were published. Fortunately, we were able to convince the Valuation Officer to link the two discussions together and negotiated reductions under both Rating Lists. The decrease under the 2017 Rating List was from rateable value £35,750 to £24,000, so producing significant savings for our client, the business owner.