Business Rates

Business Rates form a significant part of an occupier’s outgoings. The Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007 significantly reduced the rates relief provisions which previously applied to empty property thus increasing the rates burden to the commercial property sector.


The Rateable Value for every commercial property in England & Wales is re-assessed periodically by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). The Rating List currently in force runs for 4 years, from 1st April 2017 until 31st March 2021, from 1st April 2021 revaluations will take place every 3 years.

Flude Property Consultants Rating Service

It is prudent to ensure that rates assessments are investigated and, if considered unfair, that appeals are lodged.

Flude Property Consultants are experienced in the government’s new Check Challenge Appeal platform, and checking and challenging business rates assessments on behalf of clients. Our service includes:

  • Appeals against value
  • Material Change in Circumstance
  • Appeals for RV £0 & Deletion
  • Appeals for a split/merge
  • Empty Property Rates (EPR) Mitigation - This can generate savings of between 67% - 95%
  • Section 44a Relief (part vacant premises)
  • Discretionary Revaluation Relief
  • Historical Rating Audit

Our fees for rating work are often success based thus incentivising us to obtain the best possible reduction whilst giving the client peace of mind that they will only pay a fee if there is a favourable outcome.

Check, Challenge, Appeal

In April 2017, the current Rating List was introduced, which brought with it a brand new online appeal system known as Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA for short). For the first time, the ratepayer now needs to create an account on the CCA website.

Click here for our step by step guide to the registration process