How can the industry best protect businesses from rogue agents?

摘要

The number of rogue ratings surveyors is on the rise. This is not a new problem. For years, businesses have been prey to cowboy elements in the industry who claim they can achieve massive business rates reductions, demand fees upfront and then often disappear without trace. But the Covid-19 pandemic has made the situation worse. Many office-based businesses, which did not receive the business rates holidays seen in other sectors and are struggling to pay their rates bills, have become more vulnerable to a cowboy element. Many office-based businesses, which did not receive the business rates holidays seen in other sectors and are struggling to pay their rates bills, have become more vulnerable to a cowboy element.