You can apply for business rates to be reduced through one of two processes.
- The Check , Challenge, Appeal process allows for ratepayers to challenge their rateable value and reduce their rates going forward as well as potentially receiving a refund on previously paid rates depending on when the new RV is applicable from.
- You can also look into historically paid business rates through a business rates audit. This allows rate payers to look at properties previously occupied as well as those currently occupied and scrutinise the billing carried out by the local authority and look for errors in the billing process. An audit can also produce monies owed back to a company due to overpaid rates and in some occasions can reduce the payments going forward.
If you are looking at instructing a company to look into either an appeal or an audit take a look at our guidance on what to look for in an agent and auditor.