It has been revealed that the Government may be considering plans to introduce a cut off date for new business rate appeals in the 2017 rating list. A cut-off date was introduced at the end of the 2010 rating list, with no new appeals being considered after the 31st March 2017.

Implementing a cut off date would bring a level of certainty to council finances as well as helping Valuation Offices deal with any backlogs but hinders ratepayers, with many likely to miss out on the financial benefits of an appeal.

The Check, Challenge , Appeal system was brought in to put a stop to speculative appeals being lodged which were clogging up the VO and creating a back log in appeals being dealt with but the new system has been criticised for being complex and off putting to ratepayers.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government said: ‘The Government recognises the importance of providing certainty for both ratepayers and local government.

‘We are considering arrangements for the 2017 rating list and will set out our position in due course. No decision has been taken on the cut-off date.’

The current rating list is due to end on 31st March 2021 so any cut off date is likely to follow that of the 2017 rating list and be around this date.