Business rates appeal woe continues for pubs

Altogether 5,231 licensees are awaiting the outcome of their rates appeals, while a further 214 are waiting to hear back on appeals dating back to 2005, according to business rates firm CVS.

The company, which based its findings on data from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), found that the average rateable value of the premises of each outstanding pub appeal was approximately £38,546 for 2010 cases and £122,020 for 2005 appeals.

The figures emerged as the VOA published its latest data which showed that more than 180,000 business rates appeals are outstanding — a fall of 21,000 during the last quarter.

The CVS described the reduction as good news, but said there was still two years’ worth of backlog at the current rate of processing and demanded a more efficient processing system.

Don Baker, chairman of rating at CVS called for a “fundamental improvement of the rates payment and appeals process that would refund overpayments of rates in a transparent, fast and effective manner.”

“Many businesses will be desperate to receive overpayments, so it is critical that appeals are processed quickly and efficiently,” he said.

“As business conditions can change so quickly for pubs, improvements in the appeals process will help to correct inaccuracies and ensure pubs pay the right amount in business rates.”

A VOA spokesperson said: “It’s wrong to say it will take two years to process our current caseload.

“The VOA cleared over 235,000 appeals in 2012-13 and we are continuing to clear more appeals than we receive each month. In cases where ratepayers are in financial hardship we give a decision within eight weeks.

“Around three quarters of appeals on the 2010 rating lists have resulted in no change at all to the rateable value or the rates payable.”