Business Rates
One of the biggest costs facing any commercial property occupier is business rates. The amount of rates that a company pays depends on the level of the Rateable Value of their premises, which is set by the Valuation Office Agency or the Assessors Department in Scotland. However, the Rateable Values of many properties are often incorrect and excessive, meaning many businesses end up paying to much in rates due to either: -
- Inaccurate valuations
- Alterations to a property
- The complexity of the transitional system
- Material Changes in Circumstances (MCC)
Every ratepayer has the right to appeal against the Rateable Value of their property, if they feel it is excessive, and this is where Ashwell Rogers can assist your company. Our Rating Department specialises in providing professional advice to organisations on their liabilities for rates and assist them in keeping their liabilities to a minimum by undertaking the following procedures on their behalf: -
- Preparing budget reports and advising on where appeals are appropriate
- Submitting appeals with the Valuation Office on behalf of clients
- Submitting further appeals on the grounds of “Material Changes in Circumstance”
- Ensuring that clients only pay Business Rates on property they actually occupy
- Negotiating reductions with the Valuation Office
- Calculating any savings due and liaising with the Charging Authorities to ensure prompt repayment of rebates
- Representing clients interests at the Valuation and Lands Tribunal
- Ensuring buildings that are being redeveloped are deleted from the Rating List
At the recent 2005 Revaluation for all non-domestic properties in the United Kingdom the Government introduced several important changes as to how Business Rates are calculated, the situations when an appeal can be lodged and the information that has to be provided on the appeal form.
Our Clients:
We act on a behalf of a wide range of clients occupying many different types of property including Retail Warehouses, High Street shops, Hotels, Restaurants and Offices. Current Clients Include: -
- Clemmow Hornby Inge
- Corporate Value Associates
- Gracemark Investments
- Global Asset Management
- J Rothchild Capital Management
- Le Bistrot Pierre
- Media Square
- Menkind Ltd
- Pets At Home
- Silchester International Investors
- The Lacemarket Hotel
- The Petersham Hotel
- Toys R Us
- Whittard of Chelsea
Examples of Our Expertise
If you need advice on any rating matter please do not hesitate to contact:
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Roger Dunlop
Partner
020 7529 5313
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