Valuation
Each non-domestic property has a rateable value that is set by the Valuation Officers of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an Agency of the Inland Revenue. The Council uses the rateable value provided by the VOA to work out your business rates bill. You can check your rateable value and compare it with others on the VOA website. The lists can also be inspected locally at:
Teesside Valuation Office, St Marks House, St Marks Court, Thornaby TS17 6QS
Taxation Division, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Kingsway House,West Precinct, Billingham TS23 2YD
The rateable value of your property will be shown on the front of your bill. The rateable value broadly represents the yearly rent the property could have been let for on the open market on a particular date. For the revaluation that came into effect on 1 April 2010, this date was set as 1 April 2008.
The Valuation Officer may alter the value if the circumstances of the property have changed. The ratepayer (and certain others who have an interest in the property) can also appeal against the value shown in the list if they believe it is wrong. Further information on the grounds for making an appeal, and on how to make one, can be found on the VOA website at www.voa.gov.uk or from your local Valuation Office.
Successful appeals against values shown in the rating list that came into force on 1 April 2010 will normally be backdated to that date, although there are exceptions to this. Further information about these arrangements may be found on the VOA website above.
