The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) closed their consultation on business rates on 7th June, inviting the public to have their say on what information should be shared about valuations. The consultation was part of the government’s new bill aimed at modernising the business rates system.
Clare Whitfield, Head of Surveying and Operations at RVA Surveyors, said “The process needs to be simplified, and more transparent. The lack of ability to communicate with a VOA caseworker directly from the outset means that no support and guidance from the VOA is given until they have begun their case.”
The VOA is yet to announce a release date for the findings from the consultation and the impact it will have on the Business rates modernisation bill is still unknown. Whilst the consultation did open up a dialogue about what information should be shared, Anthony Hughes, Managing Director at RVA Surveyors, commented “Until the VOA have inspected every commercial property with all the relevant evidence at hand, they cannot confirm that every property has a fair and accurate valuation.”
On Tuesday 25 July, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) closed their consultation on business rates, part of the government’s new bill to modernise the UK’s outdated business rates system. The public were invited to share their thoughts on the information the VOA should share about valuations.
Clare Whitfield, Head of Surveying and Operations at RVA Surveyors, commented on the consultation, “The process needs to be simplified, and more transparent. The lack of ability to communicate with a VOA caseworker directly from the outset means that no support and guidance from the VOA is given until they have begun their case.”
Anthony Hughes, Managing Director at RVA Surveyors, added, “Until the VOA have inspected every commercial property with all the relevant evidence at hand, they cannot confirm that every property has a fair and accurate valuation.”
The VOA have yet to announce a release date for the findings from the consultation, or the impact it will have on the Business rates modernisation bill.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.