Refused Small Business Relief Fund as 'on paper' my business occupies two 'rateable' units.

alikenny

lincroft1710 said:

When the VOA merge the properties for rating purposes (which is the correct thing to do) they may be able to backdate the effective date of the merger 

Unfortunately, in the guidelines it states "Any changes to the rating list (rateable value or to the hereditament) after the 11 March 2020 including changes which have been backdated to this date should be ignored for the purposes of eligibility." 
Jeremy, that's what I thought. I wasn't expecting a grant for both, but can see nothing about the second unit disqualifying me.

Jeremy535897

alikenny said:

lincroft1710 said:

When the VOA merge the properties for rating purposes (which is the correct thing to do) they may be able to backdate the effective date of the merger 

Unfortunately, in the guidelines it states "Any changes to the rating list (rateable value or to the hereditament) after the 11 March 2020 including changes which have been backdated to this date should be ignored for the purposes of eligibility." 
Jeremy, that's what I thought. I wasn't expecting a grant for both, but can see nothing about the second unit disqualifying me.

Keep pressing them. Good luck. Unfortunately there is no appeals process, so be well prepared.

Airwolf1

alikenny said:

The business rates account is indeed in my name. I've just pored over the guidance for local autorities that Jeremy linked to. When I spoke to the man at the council, he said that because I have more tnan one unit that that is what is exempting me ftom getting the grant, but I can't yet find anything mentioning that.

What was the tenancy start dates of Unit 6 and Unit 7? What are the rateable values of each? This will help to give clearer advice. I am assuming they are quite low given the rent. 

alikenny

Airwolf1 said:

alikenny said:

The business rates account is indeed in my name. I've just pored over the guidance for local autorities that Jeremy linked to. When I spoke to the man at the council, he said that because I have more tnan one unit that that is what is exempting me ftom getting the grant, but I can't yet find anything mentioning that.

What was the tenancy start dates of Unit 6 and Unit 7? What are the rateable values of each? This will help to give clearer advice. I am assuming they are quite low given the rent. 

The rateable values are of follows: Unit 6 - £1,500 / Unit 7  - £3,450. Tenancy start date... gosh over ten years

Jeremy535897

Unit 7 should definitely continue to qualify for SBRR (unless there's a third property we don't know about). Therefore the grant should be available in respect of it.

Airwolf1

alikenny said:

Airwolf1 said:

alikenny said:

The business rates account is indeed in my name. I've just pored over the guidance for local autorities that Jeremy linked to. When I spoke to the man at the council, he said that because I have more tnan one unit that that is what is exempting me ftom getting the grant, but I can't yet find anything mentioning that.

What was the tenancy start dates of Unit 6 and Unit 7? What are the rateable values of each? This will help to give clearer advice. I am assuming they are quite low given the rent. 

The rateable values are of follows: Unit 6 - £1,500 / Unit 7  - £3,450. Tenancy start date... gosh over ten years

I would do as I originally said and try to get the 2 merged. The Valuation Office are restricted with the effective date to 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2017 will need certifying by them. Based on those values the overall rateable value (when merged) should still be well below the SBRR threshold, so you can simply claim for SBRR once the properties are merged together. You want to go down the Check Challenge Appeal process and supply a plan with dimensions and areas and a signed copy of your tenancy agreement for both units. This should be very straight forward.