The government has sent up an independent practical advice website for businesses at Business Link which includes details regarding business rates.
Subjects covered are:
Introduction
Business premises
Working from home
How business rates are calculated
Paying business rates
Requesting re-assessment of business rates
Going to Appeal
Rating Advisors
Ratepayers do not have to be represented in discusssions about their rateable value or their rates bill. Appeals against rateable value can be made free of charge. However, ratepayers who do wish to be represented should be aware that members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS – website www.rics.org ) and the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV – website www.irrv.net ) are qualified and are regulated by rules of professional conduct designed to protect the public from misconduct. Before you employ a rating advisor, you should check that they have the necessary knowledge and expertise, as well as appropriate indemnity insurance. Take great care and, if necessary, seek further advice before entering into a contract.
Contact
Business Rates Section
London Borough of Hounslow
PO Box 185
Hounslow
TW3 4WD
Telephone: 020 8583 5708
Facsimile: 020 8583 4823
E-mail: BusinessRates@hounslow.gov.uk