Valuation tribunals are independent organisations set up to settle rating appeals. Most cases are settled by agreement between the valuation officer and you or your advisor. If your case is not settled in this way, it will be considered at a hearing where you and the valuation officer will be able to put your case before the tribunal.
You can withdraw your appeal at any stage if you want to. You can appeal again later but you should bear in mind that this may affect the date of the appeal.
The hearing will take place as soon as possible after your discussions with the valuation officer have ended. However, the clerk to the valuation tribunal will give you at least four weeks' notice of arrangements for the hearing. Once this date has been set, you can only change it in special circumstances.
At least three weeks before the hearing the valuation officer will send you information on similar properties in the area that he or she intends to use at the hearing to support the valuation of your property. You can ask to see the full valuation of these properties if you want to.
Although it is best for you to go to the tribunal, it is possible for your appeal to be dealt with in the following way.
If you have not been able to go to the hearing but want the appeal to go ahead and there is no agreement for the case to be dealt with by written representation, you must write to the tribunal and give details of the points you want to make. The valuation officer will still go to the hearing.