Care home saves on business rates with RVA Surveyors
Case study:
Care Home | North West
Specialises in offering residential care services, primarily for elderly individuals and those requiring support with daily living activities.
KEY
FACTS
6 MONTHS
ACHIEVED IN
£3,990
SAVINGS
Specialist
PROPERTY TYPE
The Client
Our client, based in Stockport, Greater Manchester, specialises in residential care services. They primarily serve elderly individuals and those needing assistance with daily living activities. The company focuses on providing a comfortable, safe, and supportive environment for residents. They emphasise personalised care and community integration.
The client is committed to delivering practical, well-maintained spaces that operate efficiently. They also maintain flexibility in lease terms and a focus on customer satisfaction. Given these priorities, it was crucial to ensure the business rates were accurate.
The Problem
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) initially assessed the property inaccurately. They included areas that were not usable as office space. These areas, such as corridors, staircases, and access points to toilets, are necessary for the building’s operation. However, they were not being used as office space.
These non-usable areas should not have been factored into the valuation. They did not contribute to the rentable space. As a result, the property’s square footage was overestimated, leading to an inflated price per square metre. This price did not accurately reflect the actual rentable space.
The Solution
To resolve this issue, RVA Surveyors carried out a detailed inspection of the property. We identified the areas that were inaccurately included in the valuation. These non-usable spaces were clearly distinguishable from the actual office space. We also gathered photographic evidence to support our findings.
The findings showed that spaces such as corridors and access points should not be counted as usable office space for valuation purposes. Armed with this data, we presented our case to the VOA during the ‘Check’ stage of the Check, Challenge, Appeal process.
The Outcome
The VOA reviewed our evidence and agreed with our assessment. They acknowledged that these non-usable spaces should not have been included in the valuation. As a result, the total square footage used to calculate the price per square metre was reduced.
This adjustment led to a fairer and more accurate valuation. The price per square metre now closely aligned with the actual office space in the property.
Savings achieved: £3,990
Surveyor comment
“By identifying non-usable areas such as corridors and access points that had been incorrectly valued. By excluding these spaces, we achieved a more accurate valuation.”
