Appointing an agent for business rates
Find out how to use your business rates valuation account to appoint an agent and what to do after you have appointed an agent.
Applies to England and Wales
You can manage your business rates yourself or appoint an agent to deal with the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) on your behalf.
If you choose to appoint an agent, they can:
- discuss your property’s valuation with the VOA
- tell the VOA details about the rent you pay
- tell the VOA that your property details need changing
- tell the VOA that you think your rateable value is incorrect
- challenge the rateable value if necessary
It is your responsibility to make sure any information submitted to the VOA on your behalf is correct. If it is not correct, you might have to pay a penalty and pay any additional rates you owe.
Agents can also appeal the outcome of a challenge with the Valuation Tribunal. You will need to tell the Valuation Tribunal that you want your agent to act on your behalf.
Before you appoint an agent
If you want to hire an agent, you can read guidance to help you choose a business rates agent.
You need to have a business rates valuation account to appoint an agent. You should never share the sign in details for your business rates valuation account with anyone. This includes your agent, friends and family members. Your agent needs to have their own business rates valuation account. They will receive an agent code when they register for their account.
You can get support from the VOA if you’re having difficulty setting up an account.
If you still cannot set up an account after contacting the VOA for support, you can appoint a trusted helper to do it for you. A trusted helper could be a friend, family member or voluntary organisation. Your trusted helper can set up your account for you and help you appoint an agent.
Appoint an agent
- Ask your agent for their agent code.
- Sign in to your business rates valuation account.
- Select ‘Appoint an agent’.
- Enter your agent’s code.
- Choose the properties you want your agent to manage.
You can appoint more than one agent to act on your behalf. You can assign an agent to have authority over multiple properties in your business rates valuation account. You can have multiple agents assigned to a property, but multiple agents cannot act on the same challenge.
After you appoint an agent
Keep up to date with what your agent is doing. Use your business rates valuation account to view correspondence between the VOA and your agent.
The VOA will send you a message when any changes or updates are made in your account, or when the VOA makes a decision. The messages will advise if you or your agent need to take any action. You do not need to respond to the messages.
Keep your business rates valuation account up to date
Check your account regularly to make sure your details are up to date and that your agents have the correct authority. You should do this at least once a year. If your agent changes or is suspended, it is your responsibility to update your account.
You can use your business rates valuation account to:
- change which of your properties your agents can act on
- remove an agent from your account completely so they cannot act for you in any way
Always check your contract before removing an agent. You may still have to pay their fees and for any information they have provided to the VOA.
Reporting issues with agents
If your agent’s name in our service does not match the name on your contract, you should tell us by contacting agentstandards@voa.gov.uk. If you think your agent has given you false or misleading information you should report it to the VOA.
The VOA cannot advise you on issues you have with your contract. Contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service to discuss contractual issues. You can also report a business to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice if you think they have broken the law or acted unfairly.
You can make a report to Action Fraud if you believe you are a victim of fraud.
Updates to this page
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The section on choosing a rating agent has been removed. This information can be found on the page 'Choosing a rating agent'. The process of what you should do if you are unable to register for a business rates valuation account has been made clearer. The instructions on how to appoint an agent have been made clearer. Sections on what to do after you appoint an agent and how to report issues with agents have been added to the page.
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'Choosing a rating agent' section has been updated.
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A Welsh translation has been added.
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Guidance now includes Wales
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First published.