Landlords urged not to miss business rates appeal deadline

Scottish landlords and businesses are being urged to not miss the deadline to appeal rateable values.

Businesses in Scotland have just six months to appeal the rating revaluation that came in at the start of April.

The controversial rate setting saw businesses in some sectors and areas see double-digit rises.

As the deadline approaches on September 30, experts at Colliers International have expressed how important it is to ensure the value placed on a property is correct.

John Webber, head of rating at Colliers, said: “Reform of some aspects of the business rates system in Scotland is expected to be soon.

“Ratepayers, therefore, need to stay alert to changes as they happen and ensure that their interests are protected.

“Lodging appeals now will ensure that any potential validity issues can be resolved – but only just in time.”

The Barclay Review panel recently recommended a move to a three-year revaluation cycle with a ‘tone date’ one year prior to the beginning of the revaluation.

The Scottish Government is now looking into implementing this change.

However, Mr Webber added: “Even three-yearly valuation cycles would not go far enough to address specific, localised issues.

“Businesses therefore must not delay in appealing.”