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Our Services

Everything you need to reduce your business rates

A complete, RICS-regulated business rates service — from getting your Rateable Value right to recovering historic overpayments and defending you at the Magistrates Court.

Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA)

The core route to reducing your Rateable Value. Since 1 April 2017 the burden of proof sits with the appellant, and the 2026 Rating List introduces fresh obligations under the Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023.

  • We guide you through every stage of the three-step process — Check, Challenge and, where appropriate, Appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.
  • As a ratepayer you can appeal your Rateable Value at the start of a new Rating List, following a Notice of Alteration, after a relevant legal decision, or due to a physical change to your property or locality.
  • The 2026 Rating List (based on rental values at 1 April 2024) places the onus of providing up-to-date information on the ratepayer — much like income or corporation tax. We make sure your position is correct and well evidenced.

VOA Registration Service

To change your Rateable Value you must first be registered on the VOA Business Rates portal — a multi-stage identity verification and property claim process.

  • We complete the full identity verification and property claim on your behalf so your account is correctly set up before any challenge begins.
  • Getting registration right first time avoids delays and protects your effective dates throughout the appeal.

Duty to Notify Service

Section 13 of the Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023 introduces a statutory duty to inform the VOA and HMRC of changes to your property, with penalties for non-compliance.

  • Within 60 days of a physical change you must report it to the VOA, linking your Unique Taxpayer Reference, VAT registration number and National Insurance number.
  • An annual confirmation is also required. We manage these notifications accurately and on time, protecting you from fixed and escalating daily penalties.

Representation at the Magistrates Court

Many applications made by Billing Authorities are unenforceable due to time limits, inaccuracies or procedural failures. Never let a hearing go undefended.

  • We review the complaint and examine your rate demands to give you a clear picture of the issues before the hearing.
  • We draft a professional defence referencing the Local Government Finance Act, the relevant Rating Statutory Instruments and case law — aiming to serve a statement to the claimant at least 14 days before the hearing date.

Rates Account Audit (Historic Refunds & Reliefs)

Orphaned NNDR accounts, overpayments from inaccurate Transitional Relief, wrong void periods or missed reliefs — historic errors can mean money owed back to you.

  • We investigate your historic rates paid against Billing Authority schedules, Notices of Alteration and the charging regulations to confirm you have paid the correct amount.
  • We review past and present relief schemes — including Small Business Rates Relief and Discretionary Relief — and pursue backdated claims where they apply.

Empty Rates Mitigation

A legally robust, ethical approach to empty property rates — not charity placements, Bluetooth repeaters or dubious “snail farm” schemes.

  • We use tried and tested, traditional forms of occupation and correspond directly with the Billing Authority on your behalf.
  • Every step is fully documented with the necessary schedules, reports and letters — avoiding the future liabilities that riskier marketplace schemes can attract.
Empty vacant commercial unit interior

Hotels & Public Houses

Specialist business rates advice for the hospitality sector, where valuations turn on trade, turnover and the particular characteristics of your premises.

  • We discuss your trade, review your detailed profit & loss accounts and inspect the property to build an accurate, well-evidenced case.
  • Hotels and pubs are frequently mis-assessed — our specialist knowledge helps ensure your Rateable Value reflects reality.
Traditional British pub and hotel exterior

Holiday Home Service

Furnished holiday lets sit at the boundary of council tax and business rates. We help owners understand their liability and reliefs.

  • We assess whether your holiday let should be assessed for business rates or council tax and advise on the most appropriate, compliant position.
  • Where business rates apply, we check eligibility for Small Business Rates Relief and ensure your Rateable Value is correct.
Transparent pricing

A clear, fair fee structure

We offer a transparent fee structure for the 2023 Rating List Check & Challenge stages. The initial inspection is free, and performance-related fees are only payable after your revised demand or refund is issued.

ServiceFee
Initial site visit, inspection & appraisalFree
First “Check” submission fee£395
Performance-related fee (percentage of savings over the life of the 2023 Rating List)Agreed in Terms of Engagement
Notice Requesting Information completion (per form)£135
Valuation Tribunal appearanceSeparate fee agreed (cannot be performance-related)

No performance-related fee applies if your case goes to a Valuation Tribunal — a new fee would be agreed at that stage should you wish us to appear on your behalf. Business rates can go up as well as down; we always explain the risks honestly before you commit.

Business rates financial review documents and calculator

Not sure which service you need?

Tell us a little about your property and we’ll point you in the right direction — the initial assessment is free.

Get Your Free Assessment07973 347 876