|
|
 |
Business rates are a tax on occupation of property
based on complex and constantly changing statute and
case law. The tax is based on the rateable value, an
estimate of annual rental, multiplied by the tax rate
(uniform business rate).
At LSM Partners we have a highly professional and experienced
team of rating surveyors, supported by specialist software,
dedicated to advising clients on their business rates
liability and identifying opportunities for making savings.
We can offer clients advice and assistance in connection
with a range of service areas designed specifically
for occupiers. |
| Click
on + to
view more
information |
|
| Completion of information
requests received from the Valuation Officer. |
 |
| These
returns
are
similar
to
tax
returns
providing
the
Valuation
Office
with
the
information
it
needs
to
prepare
Rating
valuations,
which
are
required
for
each
business
property
every
5
years.
It
is
important
that
the
information
is
accurate
and
that
the
forms
are
completed
“defensively”
to
ensure
the
facts
are
clear
and
unambiguous,
so
that
initial
valuations
are
kept
as
low
as
possible.
Our
advice
ensures
that
clients
are
protected
from
overvaluation
that
may
result
from
poorly
completed
returns. |
 |
| Submission and negotiation
of valuation appeals |
|
| Appeals have to be made within strict time limits
and there are further time limits to be observed
at all stages through the appeal process, or the
appeal may be dismissed. Our specialist software
ensures that all stages of the appeal process
are completed on time. Additionally our rating
surveyors negotiation skills and property knowledge
ensure the best result from every appeal. |
|
| Appeals for building works
and other disruptions |
|
| Whilst all premises are valued for rating every
5 years there are frequently changes during the
intervening period that may affect the value of
the premises or interfere with the occupier’s
enjoyment. Such changes might include disruption
by adjacent building or engineering works, changes
to road or other access arrangements, the imposition
of new legislation such as the Disability Discrimination
Act, oversupply due to new construction, and even
the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre!
We constantly monitor changes for opportunities
to save clients money from their rate bills. |
|
| Representation at Valuation
Tribunal or Lands Tribunal |
|
| When
appeals
cannot
be
settled
by
negotiation
they
are
referred
to
the
local
Valuation
Tribunal,
where
the
parties
have
the
opportunity
to
put
argument
and
evidence
in
support
of
their
case.
Any
party
who
is
still
dissatisfied
by
the
outcome
can
appeal
further
to
the
Lands
Tribunal,
a
division
of
the
High
Court.
Our
surveyors
are
experienced
in
presentation
of
cases
before
the
Valuation
Tribunal
and
in
representing
clients
as
expert
witnesses
at
the
Lands
Tribunal. |
|
| Checking and validating
rate bills |
|
| The introduction of Transitional Relief since
the reform of the rating system in 1990 brought
new complications into the calculation of rate
bills. Since 1990 the transitional regulations
have been constantly updated to try to remove
loopholes and provide solutions to inequities.
As a result bills have become incomprehensible
to most ratepayers. Our surveyors, equipped with
highly sophisticated software, are able to check
and validate bills and negotiate revisions with
the Local Authority, where necessary. |
|
| Provision of rate payment
projections for annual budgets |
|
| Additionally we are able to provide invaluable
advice to Finance Directors in connection with
forward budgets, enabling accurate estimates to
be built into the accounts, having full regard
to the transitional regulations. |
|
| Advice on unoccupied and
partly occupied premises |
|
| Most unoccupied premises are charged rates at
50% of full payments. However there are a number
of exemptions and reliefs that may apply. We advise
clients on strategies to avoid unnecessary rate
payments on unoccupied premises and maximise use
of the reliefs available. |
|
| Advice on general reliefs
and exemptions |
|
| Additionally there are a variety of special
reliefs and exemptions, for example in relation
to charities, facilities for the disabled, and
hardship reliefs that may be available to some
occupiers. |
|
| Advice on summonses and
liability orders and representation at Magistrates
Court |
|
| Where clients, exceptionally, receive summonses
the immediate response is often to pay without
challenge. Our experience shows that rate bills
may be challenged successfully because of wrongly
applied procedures, and careful examination of
the circumstances can identify errors that invalidate
the demands. We have successfully represented
clients interests in Magistrates Court leading
to demands being withdrawn. |
|
| Historic Rates Audit |
|
|
Careful
examination
of
large
numbers
of
rate
bills
shows
a
small
percentage
of
errors.
For
clients
with
large
portfolios
we
are
able
to
provide
historic
audit,
going
back
several
years
to
identify
errors
and
secure
repayment. |
|
|
|
|
