The Government is pushing ahead with plans to reform the businesses rate appeals system, in a bid to cut down on speculative appeals.
The reforms - due to come into effect from April 2017 - will require businesses to go through a new ‘check, challenge, appeal’ process.
A new £300 fee will also be charged to lodge an appeal (refunded if the appeal is successful) while those lodging false appeals will face a £500 fine. C
ommunities secretary Greg Clark said the reforms will bring more security to councils when planning their budgets, as less than 2% of appeals precede to a Tribunal hearing at the moment.
Mr Clark said: ‘For too long we’ve had an appeals system where backlogged cases – often caused by unscrupulous agents eyeing up a fast buck – meant unnecessary costs and uncertainty for all involved.
‘The vast majority of disputes will now be settled long before lengthy litigation and will mean businesses and councils can get on with planning budgets, confident they are getting a fair deal.’
