Business rates and approval from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA)

vista99

Airwolf1, I sent email to ccaservice@voa.gsi.gov.uk and they asked me to resubmit the plan of the property. Which I sent on 9th July but did not get any response after that. Please guide me if I can do anything else to expediate this process. 

Airwolf1

vista99 said:

Airwolf1, I sent email to ccaservice@voa.gsi.gov.uk and they asked me to resubmit the plan of the property. Which I sent on 9th July but did not get any response after that. Please guide me if I can do anything else to expediate this process. 

Hi. I would now ring the Valuation Office as there is a deadline date for these grants of 23 August 2020. Explain the urgency and ask if they need anything else that could expedite the whole thing.

J_B

Airwolf1 said:

Hi. I would now ring the Valuation Office ............

But, in my experience, they don't answer.

We ended up writing to a few MPs, which has eventually woken them up!

lincroft1710

J_B said:

Airwolf1 said:

Hi. I would now ring the Valuation Office ............

But, in my experience, they don't answer.

We ended up writing to a few MPs, which has eventually woken them up!

I used to enjoy replying to MP letters when I was in the VOA, just used to tell them we'd looked into it and it was correct (which it actually was). They always thanked us and never queried anything.

vista99

Airwolf1, J_B, lincroft1710. Thank you for your replies. They are not answering calls so sent them email again and explained all situation. I still have little hope that they may resolve issue before deadline. 

vista99

Airwolf1, lincroft1710.  Update, I got decision from VOA before deadline and applied for grant. Thank you for your help.

Airwolf1

vista99 said:

Airwolf1, lincroft1710.  Update, I got decision from VOA before deadline and applied for grant. Thank you for your help.

That was cutting it fine! The closing date for grants is tomorrow! Well done and I hope the council is fine with proceeding with the grant application too.

J_B

I sent a round robin email explaining our dissatisfaction with VOA, the council and the Welsh government today 27/8/2020

I got an auto response from VOA .... <<I am currently out of the office until 27th July, if your request/query is urgent then please contact ...........>>

🤣

vista99

Unfortunately council refused grant. Although VOA approved split of the property from 01-02-20 but council says because application for split to VOA was after 11-03-20 therefore my application does not qualify for grant. 

vista99

Robin9 said:

I'm doing some similar. for a building which missed the system altogether for some reason.The VOA has been quite quick, accepting a utility bill, copy lease, plans etc within a week. Council has advised me that they will be doing a site visit.

Have your council approved your grant?