Pet care retailer paws its way to business rates savings with RVA Surveyors
Case study:
Pet Care Retailer | Cambridgeshire
Specialises in providing a wide range of pet supplies, including food, toys, and accessories.
KEY
FACTS
FOUR MONTHS
ACHIEVED IN
£27,800
SAVINGS
Retail
PROPERTY TYPE
The Client
A well-known business located in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, specialising in the pet care industry, had multiple properties that had been individually assessed for business rates.
As the company grew, changes in the layout and usage of these properties had created an opportunity to reassess their rateable value. However, the client was unaware that these changes could lead to potential savings on their business rates.
The Problem
The client’s properties had been assessed separately, which led to two distinct rateable values (RV) being applied. Despite internal modifications—such as the installation of an interconnecting doorway—allowing the properties to operate as a single unit, the separate assessments remained in place.
This resulted in an inflated business rates liability, and the client continued to pay more than necessary. At this point, they needed professional guidance to ensure their business rates reflected the true nature of their property and to avoid overpaying.
The Solution
RVA Surveyors thoroughly inspected the layout and usage of the properties, confirming that the interconnection between the units justified a single assessment.
After gathering supporting evidence, including photographs and floor plans, we submitted a detailed case to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) during the Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA) process. Our argument centred on the fact that the properties should be merged into one assessment.
The Outcome
Following the submission, the VOA accepted the argument for a merged assessment, resulting in a reduction in the client’s business rates liability.
This not only led to significant savings but also demonstrated the value of specialists ensuring that business rates accurately reflect the true nature of a property.
Savings achieved: £27,800
Surveyor comment
“Sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to spot what others might miss. In this case, the interconnection between the properties wasn’t fully considered in the original assessment.”
