ODPM Advice on Employing a Rating Surveyor

Employing a Rating Surveyor

I you are considering making a proposal to change your rateable value you may wish to contact a rating adviser.  Members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) are regulated by rules of professional conduct designed to protect the public from misconduct. You can find details of these organisations and their members on their websites:

RICS – www.rics.org.uk

IRRV- www.irrv.org.uk

Before employing a rating adviser, and particularly before employing one who is not a member of one of these bodies, you should satisfy yourself that he or she has the necessary knowledge and expertise, as well as appropriate indemnity insurance.

You should also be wary of false or misleading claims.  We are aware of agents who do not explain, for example, that a reduction on rateable value may not necessarily lead to a reduction in the amount of rates you will have to pay. This is because there are overriding limits on how much rates bills can change from year to year under the transitional relief scheme.

Please be careful before entering into any contract and take advice if necessary before you do so.  And bear in mind that no matter how persuasive they may be, no one  can guarantee reductions in rateable value. These are always subject to the agreement of the valuation officer, or the decision of a valuation tribunal or higher court.