The Valuation Roll and Valuation Notice (Scotland) Order 1989

Article 3

SCHEDULE

Lodging an appeal

If you think that the values shown overleaf are too high (for example, by comparison with those for similar properties) the first thing you should do is to approach the assessor. He made the valuation, and he has the power to change it. Contact his office by calling, or by telephone, or by writing, as soon as possible.

If you have been unable to reach agreement with the assessor before the last date for lodging an appeal, which is 15th September [*] or 6 months from the date of issue of this notice whichever is the later (but see also “Time limits for appeal” below), you must ensure that you have submitted your appeal in writing to him before that date explaining why you think the valuation is wrong.

Appeal hearings

In most cases, your appeal will be heard by a valuation appeal committee, but you may settle the matter by agreement with the assessor at any time before the hearing. You may also withdraw your appeal at any time. The secretary of the valuation appeal committee will send you, at least 35 days in advance of the hearing, a notice to appear. If the date should be unsuitable, you should advise him, or the assessor, without delay. Together with the notice to appear you will get a leaflet telling you what form the hearing will take.

If you consider that your appeal has not been heard within a reasonable period of lodging it, you may request the valuation appeal committee to hear the appeal within such period as you may specify being a period not less than 35 days from the date of your request.

The Lands Tribunal for Scotland

If you consider your appeal is complex, highly technical or raises major issues of principle or law, you may apply to the valuation appeal committee, within any time up to 21 days before the date set for the hearing of your appeal, requesting it to refer your appeal to the Lands Tribunal for Scotland, a national body with the status of a court, instead of itself hearing the appeal. You may also make a joint application with the assessor for your appeal to be so referred. The assessor will give you further details and advice about this.

Time limits for appeal

You must submit your appeal in writing to the assessor to be with him on or before the last date for appeal. This date varies with the kind of appeal. There are 3 kinds of appeal—

(a) appeals against revaluation or a new valuation (if for example the property is newly built): 15th September in the revaluation year or 6 months from the date of issue of the valuation notice, whichever is the later;

(b) if you are a new proprietor, tenant or occupier, you may appeal against the valuation in force when you took over the property but you must do this within 6 months of acquiring the interest in the property;

(c) if your property has been affected by a “material change of circumstances” , you may appeal at any time. The phrase “material change of circumstances” is statutorily defined( (1)) and if you think your property has been affected in this way you should discuss the circumstances with the assessor. The definition is—

“material change of circumstances” means in relation to any lands and heritages a change of circumstances affecting their value and, without prejudice to the foregoing generality, includes any alteration in such lands and heritages, any relevant decision of the Lands Valuation Appeal Court or a valuation appeal committee for the valuation area in which the lands and heritages are situated or the Lands Tribunal for Scotland under section 1(3A) of the Lands Tribunal Act 1949( (2)), and any decision of that Court, committee or Tribunal which alters the net annual value or rateable value of any comparable lands and heritages.

Powers of the assessor to change a valuation

The assessor may himself change a valuation in a number of circumstances. In particular he may—

(a) correct any error of measurement, survey or classification or any clerical or arithmetical error; and

(b) take account of any material change of circumstances as in the definition given above.

* Insert the calendar year of the year of revaluation.

In such a case where he changes a valuation he will issue a new notice and you will have a right of appeal in respect of such a change.

Further advice

The valuation roll may be inspected during ordinary business hours at the office(s) of the assessor and at various other places throughout the area, such as main public libraries.

If you have any questions or are uncertain about any aspect of your valuation or your appeal rights you should discuss them first with the assessor. He may be able to settle matters without any further procedure.

If you are unable to reach agreement with the assessor and your appeal is to be heard by the valuation appeal committee or by the Lands Tribunal for Scotland you may be eligible for help under the Legal Advice and Assistance Scheme by which a solicitor can help you prepare your case. Civil legal aid may also be available to cover the cost of your solicitor appearing for you at the hearing. You can obtain full details from Citizens Advice Bureaux or from local legal aid offices (look under “Legal aid” in the telephone directory).

Name and address of assessor

Date of issue*

* May be omitted from a notice in respect of an entry where the time limit for appeal is 15th September in the year in which the roll comes into force.

(1)

The definition is in section 37(1) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 30), as amended by the Rating and Valuation (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 31), section 20 and Schedule 2, paragraph 17, and by the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 47), Schedule 6.

(2)

1949 c. 42; section 1(3A) was inserted by the Rating and Valuation (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 1984, section 12(1).