Business Rates - help please!

Ojilli

Hi

I lease premises which are detailed on the business rates bill as wine bar and premises. The business rates seem astronomical especially since I am not doing anything inherently different from the many pubs I am surrounded by and yet their rates are a fraction of mine.

My question is what is the best avenue to go down to try and reduce them - I'm presuming to have the business recategorised - in fact at the moment we rely on wet sales but are introducing food and as such our opening hours etc will change - I am presuming in the business rates jargon this could be a 'material change of circumstances'? Is it worth employing someone like CVS (business rates specialists) to attempt to do this on my behalf and does anyone know what they charge or is the system simple enough to tackle on my own?

The rates have been appealed before on the grounds that they weren't accurate (I think) and the appeal dismissed.

Thanks in advance........

simpywimpy

I had a similar problem and found it impossible to get them changed Im afraid.

You best bet would be to speak to the valuation officer for your area and see when the rates for you are next up for valuation. Ours is due this April gone but not sure if that is countrywide.

The officer was very good, very willing to help and advise. I would steer clear of the CVS who told us we had a very good case on which to get the valuation changed when it was actually not possible at all.

AbbieCadabra

if the RV is less than £12,000 - is it your only premises? are you claiming small business rate relief already?

lincroft1710

As a wine bar, if the premises are in a prime retail area they may be valued as a shop if they have the appearance and characteristics of one. Pubs are valued on their trade.

You should contact the VOA and discuss the valuation.

Brassedoff

As the two previous posters have said, firstly are you claiming full relief and secondly a Pub has a different use as far as the VA are concerned. Close your place, gut it and it can be a shop, hence ratio rates.

MrOverheads

Can you confirm the size of your Rates Bill and Rateable Value, then people will be able to give more appropriate advice.

Labowski

I have unfortunately hired CVS, they said that they have sent me a letter of Authorisation and that as I didn't sign it I am in breach of contract!! Now I have received a bill for £1200, for the works they carried out.. I have never received a letter, not sure what to do.

Savvy_Sue

I'd advise your father to speak to the council and ask them what his liability is now.

Savvy_Sue

Solicitor? Or, once you have the info from the council (which to my mind shouldn't take long), a copy of the new demand, the old demand, and their agreement with you with a polite letter and a cheque for what appears to you to be due, offered in full and final settlement. Then keeping the solicitor in reserve.

BUT you do have to read the small print on the agreement.

yasmup

I guess this is a one time only post by new user "CVS Contract Victim" or else it won't be long until they start asking how they can change their user name.

Anyway CVS Contact Victim, as you say you entered a contract.

You need to look at the terms of the contract you entered into and see if you feel there is any breach of those terms. If so, seek independent legal advice.

The internet, and especially open forums on such, is no proper place to obtain such advice.

lincroft1710

If your legal advisor does not consider the CVS Ts & Cs unfair, there is little you can do. If you however think they are unfair, you could risk not paying, wait for CVS to sue you, then in court ask the judge to rule the Ts and Cs unfair.

I must emphasise that in no way am I suggesting you do this, you may lose even more money.