Warning as business rate bills are sent out

Business owners in Oldham are warned not to be caught out by people claiming they can help reduce business rates bills.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has issued new guidance to increase awareness about individuals who end up charging more in fees than businesses save.

Some less scrupulous rating agents even claim to be working on behalf of the VOA to confuse business owners and drum up trade under false pretences.

The VOA is sending out new valuations this month, which businesses are advised to check to ensure all the details are correct, as they will form the basis for next year’s bills.

A new website — www.voa.gov.uk/2010  — offers help for time-pressed business owners on how they can check their rates with or without professional advice.

The VOA has teamed up with the professional bodies that represent rating agents and surveyors, including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), to produce a new fact sheet.

This explains why new valuations have been sent, what services are available and how to avoid being caught out.

It aims to help ensure that ratepayers can make an informed choice when employing a rating agent.

VOA customer services manager Andy Booth said: “There are many agents who offer a useful, value-for-money service.

“Others don’t and we are often made aware of ratepayers paying for a service that offers them absolutely no benefit.”