North East Offices Celebrate Success
of Small Business Rates Relief
Case study:
Hedley McEwan | North East
Hedley McEwan is a family business that thrives on providing creative solutions for other businesses marketing objectives. No problem is too small for the team at the office of Hedley McEwan as their combined experience allows them to tackle client needs across a variety of platforms.
KEY
FACTS
20%
REDUCTION
£5,000
BACKDATED SAVINGS
Office
PROPERTY TYPE
The Challenge for the Client
As a forward-thinking business, Hedley McEwan had already engaged with a different business rates specialist and received a reduction. However, they were unaware that this reduction in turn could get them a further reduction, or that they were overrated on their business rates liability. As such, Hedley McEwan decided to engage with RVA Surveyors to see what more could be done. With RVA Surveyors ‘no reduction, no fee’ policy and an 85% success rate, this seemed like a no-brainer for the company.
The Solution
To build a case in support of finding a reduction for the client, RVA dispatched an expert surveyor quickly to carry out an on-site inspection. Gathering relevant evidence such as detailed floor plans of the office space and the rental information of the property in question, as well as other properties in the area, allowed the surveyor to begin their analysis into a possible reduction.
It was here, that the surveyor found that the information held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) was inaccurate; as what was used as a kitchen, had been overvalued as an office space.
The Outcome
With this in mind, RVA Surveyors quickly lodged a Check (the first step in the Check, Challenge, Appeal, process).
The VOA responded quickly, and in agreement with RVA’s proposed revisions to the Rateable Value (RV). This meant that a 20% reduction was applied to Hedley McEwan’s RV, taking it from £12,500 to £10,000; resulting in a total saving of over £5,000 (backdated to 1st April 2017, and in effect until at least the 31st March 2023). This reduction meant also that they were also entitled to Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR).
Client Comments and Recommendation
“A very professional, unobtrusive service with good communication, and ultimately, a pleasing financial outcome. I would highly recommend RVA Surveyors.”
