VALUATION OFFICE AGENCY

Web Site

Practitioners are advised to regularly view the Valuation Office Agency web site at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/valuation-office-agency.

Publications

Latest publications added to the Valuation Office Agency web site include:-

• Valuation scales 2017 (15 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/valuation-scales-2017.

• Valuation scales 2023 (15 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/valuation-scales-2023.

• Council Tax reform in Wales (14 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/council-tax-reform-in-wales.

• Information on farmhouses and agricultural properties, and residential caravans and park homes (questionnaire) (14 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wales-council-tax-reform.

• Valuation Office Agency: private rental market statistics (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/private-rental-market-statistics.

• Valuation Office Agency Rent Officers (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valuation-office-agency-and-housing-allowance.

• Fair rents (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fair-rents.

• Understanding Local Housing Allowances rates and broad rental market areas (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/understanding-local-housing-allowances-rates-broad-rental-market-areas.

• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates.

• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates applicable from April 2020 to March 2021 - amendment as instructed by The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Regulations 2020 (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2020-to-march-2021.

• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates applicable from April 2021 to March 2022 (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2021-to-march-2022.

• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates applicable from April 2019 to March 2020 (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2019-to-march-2020.

• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates applicable from April 2018 to March 2019 (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2018-to-march-2019.

• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates applicable from April 2017 to March 2018 (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2017-march-2018.

• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates applicable from April 2016 to March 2017 (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2016-march-2017.

• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates applicable from April 2015 to March 2016 (13 November 2023)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2015-march-2016.

Manuals / Guides

The following Manuals / Guides have been published by the Valuation Office Agency:-

• Capital Gains and Other Taxes Manual
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-gains-other-taxes-manual.

• Council Tax Manual
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-manual.

• Inheritance Tax Manual
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/valuation-office-agency-inheritance-tax-manual.

• Land Compensation Manual
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-land-compensation-manual.

• Rating Manual
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/valuation-office-agency-rating-manual.

• Rating Cost Guide 2023
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rating-cost-guide-2023.

Complaints Procedure 

The Valuation Office Agency Complaints Procedure can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/valuation-office-agency-complaints-procedure.

Billing Authority Submission Standards

The latest Valuation Office Agency Billing Authority Submissions Standards can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/valuation-office-agency-billing-authority-report-best-practice.

Litigation and Settlement Strategy

The latest Valuation Office Agency Litigation and Settlement Strategy can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voa-litigation-and-settlement-strategy.

Annual Report and Accounts / Business Plan 2021/22

The Annual Report and Accounts 2021/22 of the Valuation Office Agency can be found at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/valuation-office-agency-annual-report-and-accounts-2021-to-2022.

The Business Plan 2021/22 of the Valuation Office Agency can be found at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/valuation-office-agency-business-plan-2021-to-2022.

Local Government Inboxes

The Local Authority Engagement Team was originally set up to support local authorities with rates retention in England. However, their remit has evolved and extended into Council Tax, Housing Allowance and Wales. The issues are much wider now and 'Rates Retention Team' no longer reflects what they do.

To compliment this, they now have a new mailbox which is LAengagement@voa.gov.uk.

Press Release: Be wary of Rogue Business Rates Agents

A Press Release on ‘Be wary of Rogue Business Rates Agents on 7 June 2023 can be found at 
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/be-wary-of-rogue-business-rates-agents.

SCOTTISH ASSESSORS

Practitioners are advised to regularly view the Scottish Assessors web site at https://www.saa.gov.uk/.

LAND AND PROPERTY SERVICES (NI)

Practitioners are advised to regularly view the Land and Property Services (NI) web site at www.finance-ni.gov.uk/land-property-services-lps.

The latest on Revaluation can be found at www.finance-ni.gov.uk/reval2023.