1st April 2000 is the date of a rating revaluation of all non-domestic property
in Scotland, England and Wales. In Scotland the work for this was undertaken
by the Assessor for each local authority area.
Revaluation results in the production of a new Valuation Roll which contains
revised rateable values for all non-domestic properties in Scotland.
The key aims of the revaluation are maintaining stability, certainty for business
and the continuation of harmonisation of valuation treatment and practice, north
and south of the border. The non-domestic rate income that will be raised from
businesses in Scotland after the revaluation will be the same in overall terms
as before. The purpose of the Revaluation is to update rateable values on non-domestic
properties to more up-to-date rental levels.
This creates a closer, fairer link between modern property values and the amount
of rates payable by individual ratepayers.
There are two factors which contribute to the bill of every non-domestic ratepayer; the rateable value (RV) of the property and the non-domestic rate or rate poundage.
From 1st April 2000, the provisional non-domestic rate poundage has been set at 45.8 pence for the year 2000-01. Subject to the transitional arrangements, details of which will be issued with your rates bill in April, in order to calculate the rates bill for your property, you should multiply the rateable value by the rate poundage but remember that your rates bill will be affected if you are subject to the transitional provisions. A 1 penny discount on the rate poundage for small lands and heritages, with rateable value of £10,000 or less for the year 2000-01, was announced by the Minister for Finance, Jack McConnell, on 8th December 1999.
The rateable value of every property is determined by the appropriate Assessor,
who is independent of both local and central Government. The rateable value
is the Assessor's estimate of the annual rent which that property would command
on the open market. The methods used to value property have been subject to
harmonisation between Scotland, England and Wales.
With this leaflet you will have received a Valuation Notice from your Assessor
stating the rateable value for your property with effect from 1st April 2000,
the date of the revaluation of all non-domestic property. This rateable value
which, generally speaking, will apply until the next revaluation, scheduled
for 2005, reflects rental levels as at 1st April 1998.
The Valuation Notice includes information on your right to appeal against the rateable value determined by the Assessor. If you consider your rateable value to be wrong you should contact your Assessor's office (address and telephone number included in Valuation Notice). The final date for submission of appeals is 30th September 2000.
Remember you will need to pay the rates due as billed by your local Council even if you have lodged an appeal. If your appeal is successful your Council will refund any rates overpaid with interest.
Please take care if you are considering seeking independent advice on revaluation. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers (ISVA) and the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) have jointly produced an information leaflet on combating "cowboy" business rate advisers. If you would like a copy of this leaflet, or advice on professionally recognised rating advisers, contact the RICS Helpline on 0207 222 7000.
Members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers (ISVA) and the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) are regulated by rules of professional conduct designed to protect the public from malpractice and are required to hold adequate professional indemnity insurance.
Your local Assessor's office will be happy to answer any queries which you may have.
Alternatively you can contact the Scottish Executive's Non-domestic Rates Section, Area 3-J, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ. Telephone : 0131-244-7051/0131-244-7005.
Fax :0131-244-7058.
Email: stephen.orr@scotland.gov.uk
This leaflet is available on the Scottish Executive's web site on www.scotland.gov.uk under Publications
The information contained on this WWW site is Crown Copyright but may be reproduced without formal permission or charge for personal or in-house use. Privacy and Content Disclaimer.
For general enquiries about this web site email ceu@scotland.gov.uk or fill out our online questionnaire.