Making Appeals

This page explains which decisions you can appeal against and how to make an appeal. You can also describe an appeal as "making a proposal".

Rateable value and property details

The rateable value of Non-Domestic (Business) property is fixed in most cases by an independent Valuation Officer of the Valuation Office Agency. They re-value all Non-Domestic (Business) properties every five years. From the 1st April 2000, the rateable value of a property represents its annual open market rental value as at 1st April 1998.

Appeals

You have six months to register your appeal

• from the date of a revaluation (i.e. 1st April 2000 - 30th September 2000)
• after the date you bought, leased or rented the property

An appeal form can be obtained from the Valuation Officer. His address is:

The Valuation Officer
Rosebery Court
St. Andrews Business Park
Norwich
Norfolk
NR7 0HS
Telephone: 01603 241000

Other reasons for appealing against the rateable value

Within six months of the day on which the Valuation Officer notifies you he or she has altered your entry in the rating list (for example, where it is altered because of alterations or improvements to the property)

Within six months of the property being affected by a "material change of circumstances" such as:

• a change in its physical state (such as building an extension or the demolition of a building)
• a change in its manner of use
• a physical change in the state of the local area
• a change in use of neighbouring property

Following a decision of the local Valuation Tribunal or the Lands Tribunal or a higher court which has a bearing on the valuation of the property

If you feel that any other details about the property are incorrect, for example:

• the description or address are wrong
• the property has been left out of the rating list
• the property is used wholly for agriculture, or the provision of facilities and services for disabled persons
• you may make a proposal for the deletion of the entry from the rating list.

Other people who may make a proposal about your property

Other people who may make a proposal include:

• the owner of the property
• a Landlord if he/she has an under lease
• the local Council

You and the Valuation Officer

After you have made your appeal to the Valuation Officer he or she will acknowledge it. If you both reach agreement within six months of making your proposal, the Valuation Officer will alter the list to reflect the agreement.

If you do not reach agreement within six months of making your proposal, the Valuation Officer will arrange for your proposal to be transferred to the Valuation Tribunal as an appeal against the Valuation Officer's refusal to alter the list.

Invalid proposal

If the Valuation Officer believes the proposal is invalid, you will be told within six weeks of the Valuation Officer receiving it. You may, if you disagree with this decision, challenge it by making an appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, their address is:

Valuation Trinbunal
Queens House
Queens Road
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 3PL
Telephone: 01603 626315

If you appeal against your rateable value you must continue to pay on your present rateable value. If your appeal is successful we will refund any overpayment, with interest, providing no recovery action through the Court has been made.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact the Non-Domestic Rates (Business Rates) Section on 01263 516110.