The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has published new guidance to help you provide the right information about your property, when checking the details for:
If you provide false information you may be charged a penalty. This includes if the information is provided by an agent you have appointed to act on your behalf.
We have also updated our guidance on when we might issue a penalty, including what is false information.
If an agent manages your business rates, it is your responsibility to make sure the information they provide to the VOA is correct.
Alan Colston, Chief Valuer at the VOA, said: “We want our property valuations to be based on the most accurate information possible. That’s why we’re doing more to support customers to get it right when using our Check and Challenge service, and using penalties only as a last resort.”
If you use an agent, it is important that you choose a reputable one. We have a checklist on how to choose a business rates agent. We also have agent standards that explain what you should expect from an agent.
You can manage your business rates yourself by creating a?business rates valuation account on GOV.UK.