The Cut-off Date to Appeal Against Business Rates Set in 2005 is March 31st Next

If you believe that your Company has been charged too much for rates since the last revaluation on March 2005, you have until the 31st of March next to appeal.

There are two main grounds of appeal:

• If you can show that you are paying more than neighbouring properties, then you can appeal.
• Alternatively, you will need to show that there has been a 'material change' in the surroundings of your business and that that change has had a detrimental effect on trade.

This latter might be due to a change in the size or use of your premises, a high proportion of empty shops in the near vicinity, streets being closed off due to roadworks, or new traffic systems which have effectively directed trade away from your location.

To learn more about what neighbouring premises are paying, go to the Valuation Office Agency where you will be able to find out what neighbouring premises pay and whether they have appealed against the amounts set for them.

Making an appeal is free of charge - but the burden of explaining what you believe is wrong in the valuation will be down to you. It's therefore important that you do some research at the Valuation Office Agency, and understand how your business rates have been calculated and why you believe the calculation to be wrong before you make the appeal.