Small business rate relief

[Bathsheba]

Our accountant has just informed us that we are eligible for small business rates relief cos our premises have a rateable value under �5000.The relevant council dept claim they wrote to us in 2005 pointing this out, but we never received the letter.They've since informed us that we can backdate a claim to April of this year only.Anyone got any ideas of where we go from here? Clearly the accountant is at fault for not letting us know about this in 2005, but surely we have a case against the council? Any advice most welcome please.

[Bathsheba]

Oh dear- disappointing response! I guess all solicitors + accountants are away at their holiday homes!

[Maypole]

Id be surprised if the original letter went to the accountants, as it would have been addressed to the premises itself.

You wont be able to claim retrospectively. But get your claim in now (theyre very starightforward) and then again in May 2008 !