In England, it is the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), not the Assessor, who sets the Rateable Value (RV) of all business properties. Furthermore, in England a new ‘Check, Challenge, Appeal’ system has been introduced.
This system requires the ratepayer to provide information to the Valuation Office relating to physical aspects of the properties valuation. Only once these factual matters have been checked, can the RV be challenged.
Ratepayers then make further representations to the VOA. The VOA will then revert to the ratepayer, either agreeing or disagreeing with the ratepayer’s proposal. If the ratepayer is dissatisfied with that response, within 28 days, they may then pursue an appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. Charges will apply at that stage.