Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether in the context of check-challenge-appeal it is a requirement under Regulation 22(1A) of the Non-Domestic Rating (Alteration of Lists and Appeals) (England) Regulations 2009 (as amended) for the Valuation Office Agency in issuing notifications or certificates to communicate with both the ratepayer and the ratepayer's registered agent simultaneously; and if not, what is the procedure for making sure that both ratepayer and agent receive timely and accurate information necessary to progress through the process.

It is a requirement on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) under Regulation 22(1A) of the Non-Domestic Rating (Alteration of Lists and Appeals) (England) Regulations 2009 (as amended) that, at the same time certain notices relating to the progression of a case or imposition of a penalty are sent to a ratepayer’s agent they must also be provided to the ratepayer. The VOA has procedures to ensure that notices are sent to an interested party and their agent at the same time.