Powder coating company polishes up business rates liability with RVA
Case study:
Metal Finishing Company | South East
Specialises in high-quality powder coating services for various industries, providing durable and professional finishes for metal products.
KEY
FACTS
SIX MONTHS
ACHIEVED IN
£20,681
SAVINGS
Workshop
PROPERTY TYPE
The Client
The client had been operating from a large industrial facility, which had been subject to a business rates assessment that they believed was disproportionately high.
This well-established business located in Slough in the manufacturing sector, had been facing increasing financial pressures due to rising operational costs and an unexpectedly high business rates liability.
The Problem
During a routine review of the client’s business rates liability, it became apparent that the property’s rateable value (RV) had been assessed based on outdated assumptions about its usage and market conditions. The client had initially accepted the assessment without challenge, assuming it was accurate. However, upon closer inspection, it was clear that the valuation did not reflect the property’s true operational status.
RVA Surveyors engaged with the client to explore whether there was an opportunity to reduce their liability. The challenge was to identify inaccuracies in the valuation and present a compelling case to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) during the Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA) process.
The Solution
RVA Surveyors conducted a thorough analysis of the properties, including its layout, machinery, and storage areas, and compared it to similar properties in the region. We identified inconsistencies in the original valuation, particularly in how the property’s functional spaces had been classified and valued.
During the “Check” phase of the CCA process, we submitted a case to the VOA, highlighting the inaccuracies in the original assessment. We provided evidence, including photographs, floor plans to support our argument that the property’s rateable value had been overstated.
The Outcome
The VOA acknowledged the validity of our case and agreed to merge the property, which had previously been assessed separately. This merge reduced the overall rateable value, leading to a direct reduction in the client’s business rates liability.
Through our approach, we were able to achieve a substantial reduction in the client’s business rates liability, resulting in significant savings from the 2023 rating list until 31/02/2026.
Savings achieved: £20,681
Surveyor comment
“By presenting precise evidence during the Check stage, we achieved a substantial reduction through merging the client’s properties.”
