Graham + Sibbald, has been one of the foremost Rating Practices in Scotland. In the last 10 years Rating Revaluation has become an extremely complicated process with many pitfalls for the ill-advised. We have therefore utilised our combined rating surveyors experience, acting for both the public and private sector, dealing with an average of 10,000 appeals at each of the last seven revaluations.
1st April 2005 was the date for the last rating revaluation of all non-domestic property in Scotland, England and Wales. The next Revaluation will take place on 1st April 2010 and it is important that you receive the correct advice with regard to the financial implications that this will have on your business.
In order to ensure that any property’s Rateable Value is kept in line with market changes the Scottish Assessors are empowered to carry out Revaluations, usually on a five year cycle. It is important that the initiative is taken by the ratepayer, rather than waiting for formal notification from the Assessor, which could result in any appeal being time-barred.
Your Rateable Value is also used in the calculation of your water and waste water charges whether you are currently metered or not and advice on the level of Rateable Value therefore has far reaching financial consequences.
There are a number of opportunities to lodge an appeal against an assessment:
- when a ratepayer considers his business to have been affected by external circumstances
- when either Proprietor, Tenant or Occupier has any new interest in a property
- when any physical alteration results in the issuing of a new Rateable Value
Our rating services are as follows:
* Initial comment on decision to lodge appeal
* Completion of Valuation Office rent returns
* Checking your assessment
* Property inspection and full measured survey where appropriate
* Analysis of both local and national market
* Valuation using comparable evidence
* Negotiations with Local Assessors’ offices
* Lodging appeals against compiled list
* Lodging appeals following material changes in locality
* Checking rate bills - billing authorities do make mistakes
* Seeking allowances for temporarily vacant areas
* Applying for transitional certificates where appropriate
* Conduct cases at Valuation Tribunal and higher courts
* Advice on rating procedures and legislation
* Savings reports and scrutiny of Local Authority Rate Bills
* Advice on water and sewerage charges
* Advice on vacant property rates relief, and other Rates Relief Legislation
* Client reporting
* Judicial hearing if required
* Conclusion of appeal
The 2010 Rating Revaluation Process
January 2008
Rent Return Forms sent out to ratepayers. When you receive a form you have a legal obligation to complete and return it within 21 days.
April 2008
The valuation date for all non-domestic properties throughout Scotland, England and Wales.
Summer 2008
The Local Government Bill is due to become law Government to announce the proposed
statutory decapitalisation rate for the 2010 revaluation
April 2009
First statutory BID schemes to start
Summer 2009
Government to announce the Unified Business Rate (UBR) for 2010 and changes to the
transitional relief scheme
September 2009
Draft rating list to be published Summary valuations to be sent to most (but not all) ratepayers
October 2009
Government to confirm UBR and transitional arrangements
April 2010
Finally, the new rating list comes into effect