KB Case Study Flashcards
What is the legislation that governs Check, Challenge and Appeal for the 2017 Rating List?
Check, Challenge, Appeal: Non-Domestic Rating (Alterations of Lists and Appeals)(Amendment)Regulations 2017
What are the statutory timelines for submitting/settling CCA
Check - To ensure factual matters are resolved and agreed as far as possible.
VOA must settle Check within 12 months or the IP has right to challenge
Upon the settlement of a check case the IP can only submit a challenge within 4 months of being issued a decision notice
Challenge - Allows ratepayers to dispute valuation matters and resolve any outstanding factual matters
VOA must settle Challenge case within 18 months or the IP has the right to appeal and the VOA will probably be barred
Upon the settlement of a challenge case the IP can only submit an appeal within 4 months of receiving a decision notice.
What are the grounds for which a Challenge can be submitted under?
MCC
Compiled List Error
RV is wrong
Effective day is wrong
Deletion
Split or merger
Address is wrong
Description is wrong
What must a Challenge proposal include for it to be ‘lawful’?
Name of IP
Address
Contact details
Grounds of proposal
Evidence
Explanation
Identify alteration sought
effective date
date proposal served
What is the Appeal stage?
Allows ratepayer to to appeal to valuation tribunal England (VTE)
What happens during the appeal process?
Both sides (VO) and ratepayer presents their arguments to the tribunal. Tribunal then provides a binding result.
What are the fees payable for VTE?
£150 for small proposer, £300 otherwise. No fee if VO missed 18 month deadline. If list altered, fee is refunded.
When is an appeal invalid?
When it does not include the VO, decision, copy of proposal/evidence discussed at challenge, fee for VTE or if appeal is made past statutory deadline.
What happens if any of the parties involved are unhappy with the outcome of the appeal?
Decision can be appealed to Upper Tribunal, followed by supreme court
How long does the VOA have to comply with a VT decision?
2 Weeks
What are the RICS rules of conduct?
Honesty, integrity, competence, service, respect and responsibility
Is rateable value covered by the redbook?
No because RV is a statutory valuation
What are business rates?
A tax on properties used for commercial purposes in the United Kingdom.
How are rateable values and business rates linked?
Rateable value is multiplied by a multiplier set by the government to calculate the annual business rates bill.
What are the current business rate multipliers?
For the 2024–2025 financial year, the standard multiplier is 54.6 pence and the small business multiplier is 49.9 pence
Who was your main client?
At the time it was the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) now known as the ministry of housing communities and local government (MHCLG)
When is the small business multiplier applicable?
The small business multiplier is used for properties with a rateable value below £51,000, even if the business doesn’t qualify for small business rate relief.
Who is the Minister for your main client?
James Murray MP is i.e the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and Departmental Minister for HMRC and the
Valuation Office Agency
What is the RICS Guidance regarding rating consultancy?
RICS rating consultancy code of practice, UK, 4th edition, March 2017
sets out the standards of practice that rating consultants must adopt in all
cases where they are either seeking instructions, or are approached by a new or existing client,
to provide advice in relation to non-domestic rating matters. It has mandatory application in
relation to rating consultancy work.
Are you aware of the VOA agent standards? How do these interact with the RICS ethical standards?
- The VOA sets out standards and expectations for agents who represent clients in matters relating to business rates and other property valuations
- The standards set out by the VOA align with the RICS ethical standards with emphasis placed on aspects such as honesty and integrity and professional conduct.
Who was the most important stakeholder?
HMRC
How do you approach a case with an unrepresented ratepayer vs an agent?
I would avoid the use of rating / valuation jargon and be open to explaining fully any rating principles necessary
If you worked in the private, what would you include in your ToE (name 4). How would you structure your fees
-Description of services
-Limitations and -exclusions
-Information provision
-Conflict of interest
-Complaints handling procedure
- Fees can be calculated on a fixed fee, hourly rate or percentage basis.
If you were an agent, how would you mitigate your client’s rating liability?
Clients business rates liability can be reduced through;
- Small business rates relief
-Enterprise zone relief
-Empty building relief
-Deletion
-Split/merger