Action comes after investigations into serious breaches of agent standards.
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will no longer deal with an individual and 5 companies offering services to business rates customers.
Murtada Abady and the companies connected to him can no longer use our Check and Challenge service to manage business rates on behalf of customers.
Murtada Abady is also known as Jack Abady and Rico Banks.
The companies the VOA will no longer deal with are:
Metro World Limited (trading as 'Optimise Business Rates')
Overratted Rates Limited (trading as 'Re-Rates UK')
Rainbow Finance Limited (also trading as 'Optimise Business Rates')
Rateable Value Experts
Rate Masters Limited (trading as 'My Rates').
Mr Abady has previously used new company names and aliases to disguise his activities. The VOA's decision applies to any aliases or companies Mr Abady is linked to now or in the future.
We have written to affected customers.
Jonathan Russell, VOA Chief Executive, said:
We take breaches of our agent standards very seriously. We act where we substantiate a breach and refer cases to other authorities if appropriate. But I urge customers to still be vigilant and protect themselves against unscrupulous agents.
Do your research, follow our guidance and remember that, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
