Real estate services firm Colliers International has welcomed a recent court ruling that criticised the way appeals against business rates have been dealt with.
In a recent judgment in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) property judges Sir David Holgate and Martin Rodger, president and deputy president of the Lands Chamber, criticised both the Valuation Tribunal for England (VTE) and the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) for dismissing multiple appeals on technicalities.
The bodies were told to review their procedures to ensure cases get a fair hearing.
Colliers, which was involved in the case, said the ruling highlights the “practice whereby nearly a quarter of the number of appeals made by rate payers against their business rates valuation are being struck out unjustly, or on a minor technicality, leading to hardships for many small businesses”.
John Webber, head of business rating at Colliers International, said: “It has been scandalous how the VOA and VTE have colluded to keep appeals out of a fair hearing, and we are delighted the leading judges of the country have recognised and condemned this practice.”
1.Simpsons Malt Limited; 2.Norton Motorcycles Limited; 3.First Colour Limited; 4.Portland Lighting Limited; 5.DP Reality Limited v Mr Craig Jones and Others (valuation officers)
