Our client, the owner and occupier of an industrial unit in Taunton, appointed Vickery Holman to check their business rates liability with the hope of being able to reduce their business rates outgoings. Our business rates consultants are highly experienced surveyors, with a strong track record of successfully challenging rateable values for our clients.
The client had previously partitioned the floor areas of the property and leased part of the unit to a tenant. However, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) had not been informed of this change, resulting in the client paying business rates for an area they did not occupy.
We inspected and confirmed the division of floor areas between two occupiers. We then submitted a Check to the VOA, including a floor plan with the accurate floor areas and supporting photographic evidence.
As a result, the relevant portion of the assessment was removed from the 2023 Rating List, reducing the Rateable Value from £17,250 to £14,500. This adjustment led to savings of £4,117 for our client.
