Business Rates Reduction Firms

BAV187

Has anyone had any dealings with firms who claim they can lower the amount of rates you pay on businesses? Have you had any success or are they just scammers?

Browntoa

even the big boys are at it..


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/yourbusiness/11751449/Business-rates-specialists-appeals-backfire-creating-pain-for-small-firms.html

Browntoa

do it yourself


https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief/overview


and


https://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/how-to-reduce-your-business-rates

jamesperrett

We used one many years ago and I was happy with the results. However, that was in the days before the Internet where it was much more difficult to learn about these things. I had no idea what reasons to put forward myself so the company we used was helpful. If I had a commercial property nowadays I would use the internet to look at grounds for reduction and go for a DIY approach.

friedegger

[EDIT: have since discovered it's a scam by fraudsters. Search manchester evening news claims company misled. How they can continue getting away with making endless companies is beyond me.]

Was approached yesterday by one of these companies. They made a couple of claims:

1. We could have a rebate for the last two years of overpayment but only if we submit before the 1st of April. Of which they say they'll take 25% of the first year.

2. They say it's no win no fee, but they want to charge a 1100 if the rates are reduced.

Alarm bells:

A. The fee would go out before any savings have actually been made. This is how a scam would also operate.
B. The amount they think our existing monthly rates are, are higher than than they actually are (indicating they don't really have accurate info).

I'm declining the offer.