### Beware of Rogue Companies Offering Business Rate Reductions: A Word of Caution

In recent months, we’ve been hearing from many of our clients about being approached by companies offering to reduce their rateable value for a fee, often ranging from £500 to £1,200. Unfortunately, in many cases, once businesses have paid the fee, they never hear back from these companies. This is a growing issue, with *Trading Standards in Bristol and South Gloucestershire* recently warning businesses to be on alert for these so-called "reduction firms."

These companies prey on businesses that are frustrated with the increasing cost of business rates, promising significant reductions in exchange for hefty upfront fees. However, once the money is paid, businesses are left out in the cold—without any reduction in their rates, and no clear way to get their money back. In many cases, businesses are misled into thinking these firms have a foolproof way to lower their rates, when in reality, they do very little or nothing at all.

#### How These Companies Operate

These rogue firms often cold-call businesses, offering appealing promises to significantly reduce their rateable value through appeals. The problem is, the contracts they ask you to sign are often worded in a way that does not match the verbal promises made by their salespeople. Once the contract is signed and payment is made, businesses typically lose any right to cancel or dispute the service.

To make matters worse, there’s no guarantee that your business rates will be reduced through an appeal. In fact, as noted by *Trading Standards*, appealing your rateable value could even result in an increase! So, businesses could end up in a worse situation than before—paying large sums of money upfront with no tangible benefit.

#### How We Work Differently

At our company, we operate very differently. We never charge upfront fees, and we don’t deal in false promises or shady contracts. Our mission is to help businesses access the discounts and reductions they already qualify for, without any unnecessary interference with the Valuation Office. We believe in transparency and fairness, which is why we work on the principle of delivering real value—only charging after you’ve seen results, not before.

Instead of making empty promises, we focus on legitimate, proven methods to ensure your business is only paying what it truly owes. There are often reliefs and exemptions that businesses qualify for, and our job is to help you apply for them properly—without the risk of increasing your rates through misguided appeals.

#### What You Should Do If Approached

If a company approaches you with an offer to reduce your rateable value for a large upfront fee, we advise you to be extremely cautious. As *Trading Standards* recommends, always ask for written confirmation of any promises. If the company refuses to provide it, walk away. These firms are often more interested in taking your money than helping your business.

Additionally, before agreeing to anything, we highly recommend contacting the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) directly. The VOA can provide detailed guidance on your rates, how the revaluation process works, and whether an appeal is in your best interest. You can find information on their website or consult the details provided with your rates bill. It’s important to note that the appeal process is something you can initiate yourself, without paying a third-party company thousands of pounds.

#### Final Thoughts: Stay Vigilant

Businesses need to be vigilant about these companies that prey on the frustration of increased business rates. Never be pressured into paying large fees upfront, especially when you can easily seek advice and handle the appeals process on your own. If you're ever in doubt, reach out to us. We’re here to help you understand what options are available to you and how to navigate the system in a way that’s fair, transparent, and free from unnecessary costs.

By working with a company that values integrity and results, you’ll have the peace of mind that your business is in good hands.

Feel free to contact us if you need any more information or guidance on business rates reductions and how to ensure you’re paying the right amount!