It is not only at Rates Revaluation that FG Burnett's Rating team is delivering significant results for clients...
Our Services
In addition to protecting our client's interests at Rates Revaluations, our Rating team has provided significant results to clients in the following circumstances:
- Rates Appeals
- Obtaining Reliefs
- Rates Estimates and Mitigation Services
- Rates Valuation Audit
- Assessor and Local Authority Information Notices
The legislation governing Business Rates is highly complex and our experienced team has a proven track record in negotiating significant reductions and reliefs on behalf of a range of landlord and tenant clients.
Revaluation 2023: 1 April 2023 - 31 March 2026
The Rates Revaluation in force from 1 April 2023 is the first since 2017 and all commercial properties in Scotland were revalued at this time. From 1 April 2023, Rateable Values are based on rental values as at 1 April 2022. At revaluation, Ratepayers can lodge a Proposal with their local assessor within four months of the date of revaluation to have the entry amended. After this period, Ratepayers only have the right to appeal under certain circumstances and within strict time limits. These are:
- New owners, tenants, or occupiers – within four months from the date of acquiring the interest
- New or altered entries – within four months of the date of the Valuation Notice confirming the new or altered entry
- There is an error – anytime whilst the Valuation Roll is in force
- There has been a “material change in circumstances” – up to four months after the Valuation Roll ceases to be in force
What constitutes an error or material change in circumstances is statutorily defined and can be complex.
Even if Rateable Value falls or remains unchanged, rates liability from one year to the next can change depending on the poundage (tax) rates applied, which are reviewed by the Scottish Government every 1 April. The Scottish Government committed to freeze all the poundage rates for 2023/24, and although the Basic Property Rate remained unchanged for 2024/25, the higher rates both increased by 6.7% on 1 April 2024. The 2025/26 poundage rates will be announced at the Scottish Budget on 4 December 2024.
The next revaluation will take place on 1 April 2026 based on rental values as at 1 April 2025.
The legislation is complex and the 2023 revaluation coincided with a new two-staged appeal system which changed the timetable and procedure for lodging all-types of appeal. It is essential that professional advice is sought as early as possible to ensure your liability for rates is minimised.
