The Government has published draft regulations that will affect the backdating of appeals made against rating assessments. The draft regulations are due to come into force on 28 March 2015 and will affect business rates appeals made on or after 1 April 2015. This is a significant change to the rules on rates appeals and is one which ratepayers should review carefully. ...Read More

The Court of Appeal has determined that an office property which had been stripped out as part of a refurbishment project must still be valued for rating purposes because the law requires that it is assumed to be in a reasonable state of repair. ...Read More

DCLG has published a consultation paper "Council Tax and Business Rates - Powers of Entry" seeking views on its proposed amendments to the powers of the Valuation Office Agency to enter properties as part of its role in valuing properties for Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating. ...Read More

The Government proposes to allow Councils to retain business rates income from shale oil and gas sites in their areas. ...Read More

The air conditioning system installed by Iceland at its stores is rateable and must be included in the rating assessment of the store, the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has determined. ...Read More