More Consultation, More Bad News

In August 2016 the Government published Check, challenge, appeal Reforming business rates appeals – consultation on statutory implementation.

This is a consultation document designed to produce the specific regulations to put flesh on the bones of the Enterprise Act 2016 (see our previous news article of July 2016).

The main points to note for ratepayers are; proposals to give the Valuation Office Agency a “margin of error”, within the range of which the Valuation Tribunal will be unable to order a reduction in Rateable Value; and secondly, proposals for the way in which Material Change appeals will be dealt with.

MUA has responded in two parts; part one is here and part two is here.

Rate payers are urge to make their own representations to add weight to our arguments. All responses must be submitted, by 11th Ocotber 2016, to ndr@communities.gsi.gov.uk using “Business Rates Appeals Reforms” in the subject line.