Case study:

Aircraft Manufacturer | West Midlands

Specialises in custom-made seat covers for the aerospace industry, particularly focusing on aircraft seating.

KEY
FACTS

13%
REDUCTION

BASED IN
WEST MIDLANDS

BACKDATED
SAVINGS
TO 1ST APRIL 2023

The Client

Operating from All Saints’ St, Birmingham, the client is an established business providing specialised services within their industry. With a focus on efficiency and growth, they have adapted their operational space to better suit their needs.

Changes were made to the structure of their premises, affecting how their business rates should be calculated.

The Problem

Initially, the property was assessed as a single unit by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). However, since the original assessment, the client had only occupied part of the property, while the remaining portion was no longer under their ownership or responsibility.

The VOA’s records, however, still reflected the entire property as belonging to the client, leading to an overcharge based on space they didn’t occupy or manage. This incorrect assessment meant the client was paying business rates for a larger area than they were actually using.

The Solution

Upon engaging with the client, RVA Surveyors carried out a full inspection of the property’s updated layout. A detailed reassessment was undertaken to confirm that the two spaces were now distinct entities.

We submitted evidence to the VOA, demonstrating the division and ensuring the property was correctly revalued as two separate units. This correction meant the client could access the financial benefits of Small Business Rates Relief, which applies to smaller properties and significantly lowers rate liabilities.

The Outcome

As a result of the updated assessment, the VOA formally recognised the division of the property, enabling the client to qualify for Small Business Rates Relief. This adjustment significantly reduced their overall business rates liability.

The client now benefits from a fair and accurate valuation that reflects their actual property usage, ensuring they only pay what is necessary.

Savings achieved: £8,689 

Surveyor comment

“By securing an updated assessment, we ensured the client qualified for Small Business Rates Relief, reducing their costs.”