Free Business Rates Advice: What Help Is Available?

Related specialist guides

• What to do after a business rates enforcement notice

• Business rates reduction case study

• Council and VOA administration checklist

• Related specialist guides

  • What to do after a business rates enforcement notice

  • Business rates reduction case study

  • Council and VOA administration checklistDirect answer: Free business rates guidance is available from your council, the Valuation Office Agency and GOV.UK. These sources can explain the bill, rateable value and relief schemes, but they will not normally act as your independent representative. Professional advice may be useful when liability, relief, valuation or recovery is disputed.

Who deals with each issue?

• Your council: bills, payments, relief applications, occupation dates and recovery.

• The Valuation Office Agency: rateable values and property details in the rating list.

• GOV.UK: national guidance on business rates, reliefs and the Check, Challenge, Appeal process.

• An independent adviser: evidence review, strategy, representation and coordination between billing and valuation issues.

Checks you can make without paying an adviser

1. Compare the property address and description on the bill with the rating-list entry.

2. Check the liability start and end dates.

3. Confirm every payment and credit has been allocated correctly.

4. Review reliefs shown on the bill and any application decisions.

5. Check whether the rateable value reflects the correct property and use.

6. Keep copies of all notices, decisions and supporting evidence.

Evidence checklist

• Latest bill and account statement

• Lease, licence or completion documents

• Occupation and vacation evidence

• Floor plans and photographs

• Relief applications and council decisions

• VOA correspondence and Check or Challenge references

• Payment receipts and recovery notices

• Comparable property information where valuation is disputed

Practical example

A business receives a bill for a unit it left three months earlier. The first free step is to send the council the lease termination, dated photographs, meter readings and details of the new occupier. If the council still refuses to amend liability, an adviser can review the evidence and identify whether the dispute concerns billing, occupation or the rating-list entry.

When specialist help may add value

Consider independent help if a deadline is approaching, the property assessment is complex, the council and VOA give conflicting answers, significant recovery action has begun, or the potential saving justifies professional representation.

Ask any adviser to explain the proposed work, fees, authority, timescale and evidence required. Avoid guarantees of a reduction: each case depends on its facts and the applicable rules.

Official sources

• GOV.UK: Introduction to business rates

• GOV.UK: Business rates relief

• GOV.UK: Find a business rates valuation

• GOV.UK: Check your rateable value

Request an initial case review

Our Business Rates Consultants UK page explains how we review billing, relief, valuation and recovery matters.

Call to action: Send Business Rate Advisors Ltd your latest bill and a short explanation of the problem. We will identify the correct authority, the immediate evidence required and the sensible next step.

Author: Steve Adams, Business Rate Advisors LtdReviewed by: Business Rate Advisors LtdLast updated: 17 August 2026

General information for businesses in England; not legal, tax or insolvency advice.