VOA refuses to deal with group of business rates agents
Action comes after investigations into serious breaches of agent standards.
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will no longer deal with an individual and 5 companies offering services to business rates customers.
Murtada Abady and the companies connected to him can no longer use our Check and Challenge service to manage business rates on behalf of customers.
Murtada Abady is also known as Jack Abady and Rico Banks.
The companies the VOA will no longer deal with are:
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Metro World Limited (trading as ‘Optimise Business Rates’)
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Overratted Rates Limited (trading as ‘Re-Rates UK’)
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Rainbow Finance Limited (also trading as ‘Optimise Business Rates’)
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Rateable Value Experts
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Rate Masters Limited (trading as ‘My Rates’).
Mr Abady has previously used new company names and aliases to disguise his activities. The VOA’s decision applies to any aliases or companies Mr Abady is linked to now or in the future.
We have written to affected customers.
Jonathan Russell, VOA Chief Executive, said:
We take breaches of our agent standards very seriously. We act where we substantiate a breach and refer cases to other authorities if appropriate. But I urge customers to still be vigilant and protect themselves against unscrupulous agents.
Do your research, follow our guidance and remember that, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
How to choose a business rates agent
Follow our guidance on choosing a business rates agent.
You do not need an agent to manage your business rates. You can use our free online service to check and challenge your property’s valuation.
We also have guidance on staying safe from scammers.
We cannot advise on contractual issues. For help, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Report concerns
If you are concerned about poor behaviour by agents, send any evidence to agentstandards@voa.gov.uk.
Our VOA agent standards set out clear expectations for business rates agents.
We are aware of another business called ‘Rerate by Form’, based at Suite 1, Bonded Warehouse, 18 Lower Byrom Street, Manchester, M3 4AP. There is no connection between this business and the individual and companies listed above. ‘Rerate by Form’ is not affected by this action.