BUSINESSES in Oxfordshire are being warned to beware of bogus "consultants" who charge for submitting a rating appeal, writes Maggie Hartford.

Two directors of a so-called rating consultancy received suspended jail sentences recently for conspiracy to defraud their clients. Charles Campion, Woodstock-based spokesman for the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire branch of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, said some 'rates advisers' charged simply for getting an appeal accepted, which was merely a formality and did not mean the appeal would succeed.

"As more businesses become aware they may be overpaying tax, some may become victims to 'cowboy' business rates advisers, who have virtually no experience in making successful appeals," he said.

Businesses were revalued on April 1, but there is still time to appeal against current year valuation on several main grounds. A successful appeal could be backdated for a year. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants warned businesses not to part with money in exchange for poor quality advice on the next revaluation in April 2000.

Bogus ratings consultants were already approaching businesses, said David Harvey, secretary of the ACCA small business committee.

He said: "It is important to check the credentials of any consultants who claim to be able to advise on rating issues. We have received reports that many businesses have already been approached.

"Rating is a subject which is central to the livelihood of most ventures, and we regard sound advice on this subject as crucial."

"Check the status of the so-called adviser and refuse to pay any money until the job is done and you are satisfied with the work," he said.

The RICS business rates helpline, 0171 222 700, gives up to 30 minutes of free advice.

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