Case study:

Telecommunications Retailer | North Norfolk

Specialises in mobile phones, accessories, and telecom services, including contracts, SIM-only deals, and broadband solutions.

KEY
FACTS

43%
REDUCTION

BASED IN
FAKENHAM 

BACKDATED
SAVINGS
TO 1ST APRIL 2023

The Client

Our client’s business occupies the ground floor of a three-story property, but they were being charged business rates for the entire building.

To ensure they were only paying for the space they used RVA Surveyors’ expertise in reassessing their business rates.

The Problem

The property had been originally assessed as a whole, including the ground, first, and second floors by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). However, the client was only occupying the ground floor, meaning the assessment was not accurate. This mistake led to the company being charged business rates on areas they did not use, resulting in an overpayment.

In order to rectify this, it was necessary to update the VOA’s records to reflect the actual occupation. Without the proper adjustment, the client would have continued to overpay for unoccupied floors.

The Solution 

RVA Surveyors conducted a site inspection, which confirmed that only the ground floor was in use. To provide evidence for this, we requested the client’s lease, which clearly indicated that the company had been occupying only the ground floor since the lease commenced in March 2023.

We submitted a check to the VOA, supported by the lease document and a floorplan that highlighted the occupied ground floor. The check noted that the client’s occupation started prior to the Rating List’s start date, so the updated assessment would be effective as of 1st April 2023.

The Outcome 

The VOA accepted the submission, leading to a successful adjustment of the business rates. The client’s rates were now based only on the ground floor, which reduced their overall business rates liability. The adjustment took effect, ensuring that the client was no longer paying for unoccupied areas.

As a result, our client saved money on their business rates and could confidently move forward knowing that their charges accurately reflected the space they occupied.

Savings achieved: £2,950 

Surveyor comment

“By focusing on the specific changes in the property’s layout and usage, we were able to uncover overlooked factors by the VOA and secure a significant reduction for the client.”