Valuation Office urges licensees to check property valuation

Business owners - including licensees - are being urged to check details of their property valuation to ensure they are paying the right rates.

Over the next few weeks the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is sending out letters directing businesses owners to a new website to help them through the process.

VOA revaluation project manager Steve Bliss said: "Ratepayers should check the details of the new valuation immediately and get in touch if there are any errors. If it's wrong we want to put it right now. Businesses should look out for our clearly marked envelopes - they may be addressed to 'the occupier' but they're important."

Roger Culcheth of the Federation of Small Business (FSB) added: "We all have to pay business rates and it is important for everyone to understand what this bill is based on and how the final figure is arrived at."

By logging on to www.voa.gov.uk/2010 ​ ratepayers will be able to compare their details with other similar properties and, where necessary, contact VOA for assistance.

The site also offers lots of straightforward help and even short videos on key topics, designed to explain the valuation process.