John Brooks Chartered Surveyor

Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Member of the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation

Member of the Rating Surveyors' Association

Specialising in: -

 

 

 

 

 

Business Rates are a large part of the cost of occupying commercial property, and all too often the right to appeal against them is overlooked by the businessman.

 

The current rating list took effect from 1st April 2010 and should reflect property values at 1st April 2008. The Valuation Office Agency of the Inland Revenue are responsible for setting rateable values every five years and are independent of the local councils who collect the rates.

You can appeal against your rateable value on the grounds that: -

The original rateable value was wrong as at 1st April 2010.

There has been some physical change to the property or neighbourhood since 1st April 2010 that makes it less valuable.

You are suffering disturbance from, for instance, adjoining building works that are likely to last for some time, usually at least three months.

The Valuation Officer has made a change with which you don't agree.

You may only make one appeal for a particular reason, though if the ownership or occupation of a property changes, the new owner or occupier can appeal.

 

You may also be able to save money by managing your rating assessment. For instance: -

Make sure the local council knows if part falls vacant. (You may need to ask the Valuation Officer to make a separate assessment).  However with effect from 1st April 2008 full rates are payable in respect of empty property after an initial three months exemption (six months for industrial/storage property).

In some cases the amount of rates paid will be affected by Transitional Relief, particularly in the early years of the 2010 list. This means that rates payable are calculated by reference to maximum allowable increases or decreases from the amount paid in 2009/2010. Unfortunately appeals against the 2005 list assessment had to be made before 31st March 2010.

Make sure you're paying the right amount! Local councils are not infallible when it comes to working out rate bills, especially where there have been changes. Get an expert to check.

Rating is a specialist field and the Government's scheme of transitional relief has made it more so. I offer professional advice on a "no saving, no fee" basis.

CAUTION there are unqualified "cowboys" operating in the rating field.

In addition to rating advice I also undertake rent reviews and lease renewals. Qualified advice is most important to secure the right answer in all these fields.

Contact John Brooks on 01962 775552

Email john@johnbrooks.co.uk