Business Rates

Check, Challenge or Appeal Against Rateable Value

What you need to do

1. CLICK: www.gov.uk/voa/revaluation to view your draft rateable value.

2. FIND: your property by postcode or address.

3. REVIEW: the information to make sure all your property information held by the VOA is correct.

It will only take a few minutes to do this.

If you think the information held about your property is incorrect, ask the VOA to update your records.

This can be done at www.gov.uk/voa/revaluation.

If you do not do this, you risk paying too much in business rates.

Appeals against rateable values can be made free of charge and you do not have to be represented in discussions.

However, should you wish to be represented be aware that members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation are qualified and regulated by rules of professional conduct designed to protect the public from misconduct.

Take great care if employing a rating adviser and, if necessary, seek further advice before entering into a contract.

Further information on how to appeal is available on the Valuation Office Agency's website.

Business Rates Completion Notice

A completion notice is issued when a newly constructed building (or existing building that has been spilt or merged) is considered complete for non-domestic business rates.

The completion notice will state the building it relates to and the day which the Council considers to be the completion date.

A completion notice in respect of non-domestic business rates means that from the date indicated a maximum 3 or 6 month exemption period will be awarded provided the property remains unoccupied. After the initial exemption has expired, full rates will become due.

If you wish to appeal against a completion notice, liability will continue as if the date specified in the notice had been determined as the completion date. An appeal against a completion notice may be made direct to the Valuation Tribunal within four weeks of the notice being served on you.

Paying Business Rates

Direct Debit

This is the easiest and most convenient way to pay your business rates.

Apply online or complete and return the Direct Debit application form

Ebilling

You can help us save money, protect the environment and make your life easier by paying by Direct Debit and viewing your bill online.

Want To 'Connect'? Register now to access your account information online 24/7.

Online

You can pay online now with a debit card.

Pay online

By phone

You can make a payment* 24/7 using our dedicated telephone line 01621 212 410.

*Please note that this service only accepts payment by debit card.

Post

Cheques can be sent to: Maldon District Council, Council Offices, Princes Road, Maldon, Essex CM9 5DL.

Please ensure that you quote your account reference number when making payment.

Sharing information with your representative

Any information provided in connection with your Non-Domestic rates will be stored securely. It will not be given to or shared with anyone outside Maldon District Council unless the law allows. Under the Data Protection Act, we need your permission to share or discuss personal information about your Non-Domestic rates with another person. Please complete and return Non-Domestic Authority to Discuss form.

Properties Listed for Business Rates

Download properties listed for business rates purposes

Download properties listed as empty for business rate purposes

What happens if I don’t pay Business Rates

If you are struggling to pay the Business Rates, please contact us as soon as possible, do not let the matter get worse.

We may be able to change the payment date to one that suits you better or agree a reasonable payment arrangement.

If you do not pay your Business Rates a Reminder and Final Notice will be issued:

• If immediate payment is received, you can continue to pay by instalments
• If you do not make immediate payment or pay future instalments on time, the rest of the year's change will become due and payable in full

If you do not pay, a Court Summons including costs will be issued:

• If the balance is paid in full (including costs) in clear funds before the court hearing date, no further action will be taken
• If you are unable to pay in full, please contact the Council to discuss this matter further

The Court is unable to make payments arrangements at this stage and you are required to contact the Council direct to discuss this matter further.

We will request the Magistrates to grant a Liability Order plus costs on the court hearing date and this enables the Council to proceed with either of the following recovery action:

• The account being passed to enforcement agents for collection
• Insolvency action or bankruptcy proceedings

You do not have to attend court if you agree that the amount is owed. However, if you do go to the hearing, the magistrates will ask if you have a valid defence to stop the liability order being granted.