Completion notice

What is a completion notice?

A completion notice is a document that we must serve when we think that a new property is complete or is nearing completion. We send a completion notice to the owner of the property. The purpose of the completion notice is to determine when you must start paying business rates for the property.

We have sent you this completion notice because we believe you are the owner of the property shown on the notice. The notice shows a 'completion date'. This is the date when we consider the property to be complete for business rates purposes. If the property is already finished, this date will be the same as the date we sent the notice. However, the completion date could be up to three months in the future. This will happen if we think that the property could reasonably be expected to be finished by that date.

If you are not the owner of the property shown on the completion notice, please let us know straight away.

What happens next?

After 28 days from the date of the notice we will send a report to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). They are responsible for maintaining a list of all properties that are subject to business rates. They also value properties, giving them a rateable value (RV). The Valuation Office Agency is a part of HM Revenue and Customs. It is not a part of the council. Once the VOA has valued your property, they will write to you to let you know what Rateable value they have given the property. They will also tell us so that we can work out much business rates you will have to pay. This is when your business rates demand will be sent (but read on for further details).

So how much business rates will I have to pay?

Nothing yet. All new non-industrial properties (shops & offices) are exempt from business rates for the first three months from the date shown on the completion notice.

All new industrial properties (factories & workshops) are exempt for the first six months. The exemption only applies in both cases as long as they remain empty.

If the property is still empty after the initial period of exemption, and you are still the owner, you will have to start paying business rates. We will send you an updated bill showing how much you must pay. Some types of property are exempt from empty rates e.g. listed buildings. If you sell or lease out the property before the initial period of exemption is over, you will have nothing to pay. If you sell or lease out the property after the initial period of exemption has ended, you will have to pay business rates for the period from when the exemption ended up to the date the sale or lease takes effect.

What if I disagree with the completion date?

If you disagree with the completion date shown on the notice, please let us know in writing straight away. You should tell us why you disagree with the completion date. You should also suggest an alternative completion date. We will consider your case again and, if appropriate, send you a new completion notice with a revised completion date. However, it will not always be possible for us to agree a new completion date. Legally, we must decide when the property could reasonably be expected to be complete.

When making this decision, we will have regard to the time taken to complete other, similar, building projects. If you disagree with the completion date, it is very important that you let us know straight away. If you don’t, we will assume that you are happy with the completion date we have used.

If a new completion date can’t be agreed, can I appeal?

Yes. You can appeal against the completion date to the independent Valuation Tribunal Service.

What if I disagree with the Rateable value that the property is given?

If you disagree with your property’s rateable value you should contact the Valuation Office Agency. Alternatively, they can be reached by telephone on 03000 501501 or by email at ratingsoutheast@voa.gov.uk.

Summary: What you should do now

• Check that you are the owner of the property shown on the notice and let us know if you are not the owner.
• If you agree with the completion date shown on the notice, you don’t need to do anything else for now.
• If you disagree with the completion date, please write to us, giving your reasons and suggesting an alternative date.