Business rates (valuation, arrears, refunds etc.)
Rateable value
The rateable value of non-domestic property is fixed in most cases by an independent valuation officer of the Valuation Office Agency. All non-domestic property is revalued every five years.
From 1 April 2000, the rateable value of a property represents its annual open market rental value as at 1 April 1998. The values of all property in respect of which rates are payable are shown in the local rating list, a copy of which may be inspected on the Valuation Office Agency's website or at:
Valuation Office Agency
Inland Revenue
Chase House
305 Chase Road
Southgate
London N14 6LZ
Tel: 020 8276 2700
Alternatively, email us on businessrates@barnet.gov.uk.
The valuation officer may alter the value if he believes that the circumstances of the property have changed. The ratepayer (and certain others who have an interest in the property) may also in certain circumstances propose a change in value.
If in any case the ratepayer and the valuation officer do not agree, the matter will be referred as an appeal to a valuation tribunal. The effect of successful proposals or appeals against new rateable values for 1 April 2005 will be backdated to 1 April 2005 only if they were made by 30 September 2005.
Appeals made in the following six months will be backdated to no earlier than 1 October 2005. Appeals made in a subsequent financial year will be backdated to no earlier than the start of that year. Information about the circumstances in which a change in rateable value may be proposed and how such a proposal may be made is available from the valuation office shown above.
Further information about the new appeals arrangements may be obtained by writing into:
Barnet Council
Business Rate Section
P.O.Box 329
Sale, M33 6XR.
National non-domestic rating multiplier
The national non-domestic rating multiplier is the rate in the pound by which the rateable value is multiplied to produce the annual rate bill for a property. It is set annually by the Government and except in a revaluation year, cannot, by law, rise by more than the amount of the increase in the retail prices index.
Transitional arrangements
Transitional arrangements will phase in the effect of significant changes in liability which arise from the 2005 revaluation of non-domestic property. Where appropriate, these arrangements will operate until March 2010 (when all non-domestic property will be revalued again). There are limits on the percentage by which bills may increase or decrease each year.
Special rules deal with changes in rateable values and the merger or splitting of existing properties. Further information about transitional arrangements may be obtained from the address supplied above or on the Business Link website.
Downloadable forms
- Change of address form
(PDF: 24KB) - Direct Debit form (PDF: 26KB)
