BUSINESS RATES ARE A SIGNIFICANT BURDEN ON OCCUPIERS OF BUSINESS PREMISES AND PARTICULARLY SO IN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE. ON 1ST APRIL 2010, ALL COMMERCIAL PREMISES WERE REVALUED BY THE VALUATION OFFICE AGENCY (VOA) WITH THE INTENTION OF UPDATING RATEABLE VALUES BASED ON THE RENTAL VALUE OF THE PREMISES AS AT 1ST APRIL 2008.
IF YOU OCCUPY BUSINESS PREMISES AND WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS YOUR 2010 RATING ASSESSMENT, CONTACT PHILIP MANNING FRICS, ON 01273 321123, FOR A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.
Business rates are one of the largest overheads in business. It is therefore in the interest of occupiers, wishing to minimise their outgoings, and landlords wishing to minimise any rate liability while a property is vacant and/or their tenants overheads once occupied, to ensure rating assessments are subjected to a professional appraisal and appealed when necessary. Similarly, if properties are altered, extended or the mode of occupation changes, then these can all affect the liability for business rates and a Rating Surveyor's advice can be invaluable in this regard.
Rating legislation is complicated and the Government's commitment to five yearly revaluation's and the VOA’s need to regularly update their rental evidence by issuing Forms of Return, means that your Rating Surveyor should be kept informed of any changes to the property, surroundings, or lease terms in order to give best advice.
Rating assessments are based on the rental value of the premises and as Chartered Surveyors dealing with commercial property in Brighton & Hove and the Sussex area, Graves Son & Pilcher are able to provide clients with the advice and service required to ensure landlords, owner occupiers and tenants, are not paying more in business rates than is absolutely necessary.
At Graves Son & Pilcher we can complete, on your behalf, Valuation Office Forms of Return, advise on current assessments and likely changes if alterations are proposed, submit Appeals, negotiate with the Valuation Office and present cases before Valuation Tribunal Hearings if agreement cannot be reached.
If you would like to discuss any of the above please call Philip Manning FRICS today, who will be happy to have an initial complimentary discussion and advise you appropriately.