When you can appeal

If you disagree with any decision, we make on your business rates you can appeal against it.

You can appeal if you think:

• you should not be responsible for business rates on a property
• a decision we have made is wrong
• the amount you have to pay is wrong (for example, you think a relief or discount should apply)
• the date we have given on a completion notice is wrong
• if you want to appeal against your rateable value, follow the guidance on the Gov.uk website or phone the Valuation Office Agency on 03000 501501.

If you want to appeal about a completion notice because you do not think the property was finished, or could have been finished, by the date the Council has given, contact us. If we can’t agree a new completion date, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal Service. This must be done within 4 weeks of us sending you the completion notice.

For all other appeals, contact us giving your name and address, reference number, the property in question, the decision you are appealing against and why. Please provide a daytime phone number or an email address. We may ask for further information and this can help speed things up.

We will look at the decision again to see if we can change it. We will write to tell you the outcome.

If you disagree with our decision

If you still disagree with our decision after a review, or you do not hear from us within 2 months, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal Service. You will need to fill in a Valuation Tribunal Service appeal forms which you can download or fill in online.

You must keep on paying your business rates as shown on your bill while your appeal is being considered.

If you win your appeal and you overpay business rates, we will refund you.

Appeals to the Valuation Office Agency or Valuation Tribunal Service are free and they cannot award costs against you if you lose.

However, you do have to meet your own costs in attending the hearing and will also have to pay if you ask an agent to represent you.