Rating agents

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has a new set of standards that apply to all agents. 

The standards encourage good practice by agents when representing customers on business rates and Council Tax. 

The VOA has this advice for anyone thinking about appointing an agent to manage their business rates: 

• You do not have to get an agent to help you. You can manage your business rates yourself.
• Anyone can call themselves an agent. Check an agent’s background before signing a contract.
• Be very cautious about companies that claim they can get you big reductions in business rates.
• Check the length of a contract before signing.
• Make sure you read the small print and fully understand the services you are paying for.
• Legitimate agents should not pressure you into signing a contract or demand large sums of money up front. 

Read the full VOA agent standards and guidance on appointing an agent for business rates.

Shropshire Council stance

When appointing an agent, you will sometimes be asked to sign an engagement letter or a letter of authority. This will enable agents to act on your behalf when contacting the council.

In order to protect the taxpayers of Shropshire, Shropshire Council will be contacting any taxpayers who appoint an agent to verify the legitimacy of any contact from a third party.