Rating agents
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) uses a 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 offers this advice for anyone thinking about appointing an agent to manage their business rates:
- You don't 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're paying for
- Legitimate agents shouldn't 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'll 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 tax payers of Shropshire, Shropshire Council will be contacting any tax payers who appoint an agent to verify the legitimacy of any contact from a third party.