Business ratepayers urged to check new valuations.

BUSINESS ratepayers in North Wales are being urged to check details of their new property valuations to ensure they are correct.

The Valuation Office Agency is writing to business owners advising them to check the details and directing them to a newly-created website.

David Subacchi, of the VOA in Wales, said it was essential to check that the property valuation is correct, as business rates bills are based on those figures.

"Ratepayers should check the details of the new valuation immediately and get in touch if there are any errors," he said.

"If it's wrong we want to put it right now."

By logging on to www.voa.gov.uk/2010 ratepayers will be able to compare their details with other similar properties and, where necessary, contact VOA for assistance.

Each valuation shows the details of the business property, whether it is a shop, an office or a warehouse, including the number of rooms, their description and size, and the value applied to each area.

Gwyn Evans, North Wales chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "The VOA is giving ratepayers as much information as possible, well in advance.

"We all have to pay business rates and it is important for everyone to understand what this bill is based on and how the final figure is arrived at.

"That's easy if you have the valuation details sent to you and the opportunity to check them now, before the rates are calculated."

The VOA values all business and non-domestic property in England and Wales for business rates.

New rates bills for 2010/11 will be issued by local councils in early 2010. A rates bill "indicator" is on www.businesslink.gov.uk/estimatemyrates.

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David Subacchi is advising North Wales business owners to check their new property valuations