The Valuation Officer maintains the Rating List and may alter the rateable value of a property if the property's circumstances have changed. You can appeal against the value shown in the list if you believe it is wrong.
An appeal can be made directly to the Valuation Office Agency free of charge. The best way to do this is online at the Valuation Office Agency website.
If you do not want to make the appeal yourself, you may choose to appoint a rating agent to handle the appeal on your behalf.
If you choose to use a rating agent, you are advised to look very carefully at the terms of your contract, ensure you understand exactly what you have agreed to pay for, and remember that a reduction in your rateable value does not automatically mean that your rates bill will be reduced.
All appeal queries should initially be directed to the Valuation Office Agency.
Successful appeals against values that came into force on 1 April 2010 are normally backdated to the beginning of the financial year the appeal was made. There are exceptions to this.
If the ratepayer and Valuation Office do not agree, the appeal is referred to the Valuation Tribunal.
Please remember that appealing against your rating assessment does not entitle you to withhold payment of your account.