Business rates

[Suepy]

It’s the first time I’ve been on here. very briefly last year a business rates valuation company came into my restaurant and said I was paying too much in rates. I did sign a contract for them to get me a lower price.
out if the blue they have sent me a bill for £I100. rang my council who say my rates haven’t changed since 2017. Now I dont mind paying if I can see where the saving is. After many emails they have explained where the money is from but I can’t make head or tale of it. On the invoice it says ‘retail relief 50% £6198.88@15% unit price 929.83 plus vat
If I don’t pay by Monday they can cancel agreement and charge me £5000 for costs etc!! I can’t get through to council. Nightmare.
The company are called The Rating and Valuation Company. London
Has anyone had experience of this? It may all be legit. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Mr D]

The contract matters. Read the contract and see what they can and cannot do, what they charge for etc.
Business to business contracts can be hard to get out of.

 

[bodgitt&scarperLTD]

Sounds like a scam to me. I bet the contract says you owe them the money anyway for trying- and you've signed it as B2B

Always READ the contract, people.

 

[Anonxxx]

It’s the first time I’ve been on here. very briefly last year a business rates valuation company came into my restaurant and said I was paying too much in rates. I did sign a contract for them to get me a lower price.
out if the blue they have sent me a bill for £I100. rang my council who say my rates haven’t changed since 2017. Now I dont mind paying if I can see where the saving is. After many emails they have explained where the money is from but I can’t make head or tale of it. On the invoice it says ‘retail relief 50% £6198.88@15% unit price 929.83 plus vat
If I don’t pay by Monday they can cancel agreement and charge me £5000 for costs etc!! I can’t get through to council. Nightmare.
The company are called The Rating and Valuation Company. London
Has anyone had experience of this? It may all be legit. Any advice would be much appreciated.

It’s a scam unfortunately, and you’ll find you’ve been charged because the wording of their contracts generally cover a commission for all reductions regardless of whether they got the rates reduced (in this case Covid-19) I would advise against paying, report them to trading standards and have it investigated, given the special circumstances.

Google them, they have scammed many.