Business rates are paid by almost all non-domestic occupiers throughout the country and are a charge for simply being in your premises.

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The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is a central government organisation as well as part of the Inland Revenue, and uses a wide range of property information to establish just how much your business rates should be.

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This process is undertaken every 5 years and the latest national Revaluation is effective from 1st April 2010. The average rating assessment increased by 18% at this time, but there has been a wide variance depending on property type and location.

 

Of course, the amount the VOA thinks you should pay isn’t necessarily as low as it might be: the charge you receive is their interpretation of the information they have collected. Many companies may therefore be paying too much.