We recently saved our Client, the occupier of a dog training barn, £7,750 in business rates per annum. Our client asked us to ‘Challenge’ the description of the property with the Valuation Office Agency.
The property, a former agricultural building, is now being used as a dog training barn. When the client approached us, the property was categorised as a ‘store and premises’ by the VOA. We requested that the valuation scheme be changed to ‘dog training school and premises’ as the original scheme attracted too-high a base rate, resulting in an excessive rateable value.
We submitted a detailed ‘Challenge’ with supporting evidence to the VOA to request the adoption of a more appropriate valuation scheme, reflective of the property’s actual use based on the Rating principle of rebus sic stantibus.
The VOA adopted the valuation scheme we requested, resulting in a saving of £7,750 per annum for our client. Not only did this result in an excellent saving, but it also brought the ratable value below the threshold for our client to qualify for small business rates relief.
