Business rates are an annual charge based on a property’s Rateable Value multiplied by the Uniform Business Rate set annually by the Scottish Government in Scotland and the Government in England.
Business rates are re-valued every five years (the most recent took effect from 1 April 2010) and new rates generally remain unchanged until the next revaluation unless the property is altered or other changes take place. The Assessor is required to notify proprietors, tenants and occupiers of all changes he makes to the Valuation Roll by issuing a Valuation Notice. New owners, tenants or occupiers can appeal within six months of acquiring an interest in a property.
Ryden specialises in offering rating revaluation advice and our expertise covers a wide spectrum of commercial property types including industrial, office, retail, public houses, hotels, sports facilities, hospitals and educational establishments. We can advise on the effect of new build and alterations, vacant rates and savings whilst works are ongoing.
Our aim is to reduce occupiers’ liability wherever possible. We can help you by:
- Appealing against rating assessments where appropriate.
- Auditing business rates liability both prior to payment and after a successful appeal.
- Advising on potential savings obtainable through vacancies, building works, business rates relief or any other material change in circumstances having an effect on value.
- Providing an on-line reporting programme detailing the current status of all appeals as well as details on both existing and estimated future liability. The system allows for the inflation indexation of the uniform business rate to enable budgeting over the Revaluation period.
