Business rates list closes soon

The 2017 non domestic rating list is closing. This means that you have up until 31 March 2023 to check that the factual information the Valuations Office Agency (VOA) holds about your property on this list is correct, and to let them know if it isn’t (this is known as making a Check case).

You will then be able to challenge the 2017 assessment if you are not happy with the outcome.

You will need to have an account set up on the Government Gateway and claim your property before you can make a Check case.

There is a helpful video on YouTube on how to claim a property.

It can take some time to claim a property. VOA advise doing this as soon as possible if you want to make a Check case on the information they hold about your property on the 2017 list.

What is the non-domestic rating list?

The rating list sets out all rateable values for non-domestic properties in England and Wales. It is used by local authorities to help determine business rates. Your rateable value isn’t the same as your business rates bill.

The 2023 non domestic list

A new non domestic rating list comes into effect on 1 April 2023. You can still let VOA know if the information about your property on this list isn’t correct. But the closure of the 2017 list means that there are only limited circumstances in which further amendments may be made to it. These are when:

• changes need to be made to the list following Checks submitted before 1 April 2023 (and any subsequent challenges and appeals).
• the VOA is correcting inaccuracies on the list (this can be done up to 31 March 2024). If the list is changed then customers for those properties have the right to make a Check within six months of the change.
• a customer wants to challenge the 2017 list on the grounds of a tribunal or court decision. They can do this so long as a Check has been made by 30 September 2023.

See: Business rates list closes soon - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)