Valuation Office Agency (VOA) checklist
Check an agent's background before signing a contract
Anyone can call themselves an agent, but this does not mean they are a member of a professional body. Check an agent's background before signing a contract.
Trusted membership organisations
If an agent is a member of a trusted membership organisation, they must follow rating agent standards. This provides business owners with extra reassurance.
The three trusted organisations are:
- Rating Surveyor's Association (RSA)
- Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- Institute of Revenues, Rating, Valuation (IRRV)
Check the length of your contract before signing
Agents have been known to tie business owners into costly, long-term agreements.
Read the small print
Make sure you read the small print and fully understand the services you are paying for. Legitimate agents should not pressure you into signing a contract or demand large sums of money up front.
Create a business rates valuation account
Familiarise yourself with our check service and create a business rates valuation account.
This way you can manage your property and view correspondence between the VOA and your agent.
Responsibility
It is your responsibility to ensure the information your agent provides to the VOA is correct.
For more advice on how to choose a reputable agent, visit GOV.UK.