The phenomenal growth of the practice of Ken Batty Chartered Surveyors has been achieved on the back of our growing word of mouth reputation on achieving the very best results possible on rating matters. Whilst concentrating primarily upon compliance and guiding our clients through the vagaries and complexities of rating law which is a minefield for those who are not fully conversant with this with determination and attention to detail on behalf of every client in achieving the best results possible is our winning combination.
We cannot and will not deal with rating matters as so many do on a quantum basis but are only interested in dealing with these on a one-to-one basis whereby every client no matter what size their assessment matters. Our consideration and expertise in disabilities is also a winning formula.
Business rates place a burden on any business and the complexities of the rating system can be daunting and difficult to challenge but we can successfully navigate the minefield on your behalf and achieve you considerable refunds and savings.
We are specialist rating surveyors and have over 35 years experience in dealing with Rating Appeals - our surveyors are in fact ex Valuation Office Agency (gamekeeper turned poacher scenario). We have an enviable track record of success and work on fees geared to benefit you on a genuine no win, no fee basis.
We have a substantial client base dealing with properties in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (95% of our retained clients have come to us through recommendations) many of whom we have acted for since the 1973 Revaluation. We work for many large organisations looking after their interests on their property portfolios.
The present 2005 Rating List is effective from the 1 April 2005 to the 31 March 2010 (there is a review every 5 years of this List known as the quinquennial review) and the next Revaluation will be the 2005 List coming into effect from the 1 April 2010. Rent returns will be coming out for this List over the next few months as the AVD (Antecedent Valuation Date) for the 2010 List is the 1 April 2008 and it is based upon a compilation of rents in the Open Market at this date.
The present problem facing businesses at the moment is the imposition from the 1 April 2008 of the removal of rate relief on unoccupied buildings are we are able to give timely and valuable advice on this.
Rating is something that should only be entrusted to experienced, fully qualified and fully regulated members of the various rating professions i.e. the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Institute of Rating, Revenues and Valuation and the Rating Surveyors Association and we are proud to say that we are long standing members of each of these organisations and fully regulated by them. We are fully compliant with the rating surveyors' code of conduct.
Under current legislation for this List your assessment can be appealed at any time with no restrictions on backdating rights but it is more important than ever that you choose the right representatives as there is a limit of one appeal only i.e. "one shot saloon" on this List.
We do not make as do so many of the inexperienced and “cowboy” firms wild promises that cannot be kept but we pride ourselves upon achieving hard earned results to benefit our clients substantially. We work on a no win, no fee basis and the basis on which we work ensures that very substantial savings accrue to our clients after payment of our fees.
When graced with your valued instructions we will undertake a full inspection of your property/properties and provide our exert opinion as to whether an appeal should be lodged considering all factors. We will then use our extensive expertise to endeavour to achieve a reduction in the assessment keeping you advised of progress. If we are not successful in reducing the Rateable Value or mitigating any increase then no fee whatsoever will be due.
We are able to offer a fully comprehensive service including checking of rate demands to ensure there accuracy using our computerised transitional calculator and ensuring that all entitleable allowances such as Small Business Rate Relief or Mandatory Relief etc will be granted. We are also prepared to complete the Non Domestic Rental Request for Information forms on your behalf that you may receive from the Valuation Office Agency – this is a difficult area at the moment because of the existence of penalties and great care should be exercised here in order to avoid severe penalty.
Our comprehensive and all embracing rating service includes not only Compiled List appeals but appeals for alterations and also Material Change of Circumstances appeals etc.
We can also offer advice with regard to empty property rate relief and the implications of the new legislation effective from the 1 April 2008 where properties will no longer be entitled to this relief.
Please feel free to contact our rating team for more information and in the first instance please contact Miss B Highton RSA (Dip) on 01772 558333 for an initial discussion – we do offer an initial consultation at our City Centre offices free of charge or will offer initial consultancy advice over the telephone.
You may be interested to note that our extemporarily and highly recommended personal service with results achieved only by going the extra mile has in fact been independently attested and to our credit commented upon in several publications – see links (top left) relating to this.
Also we have provided some other useful links (top left) that you can
follow to find out more information about the English, Welsh and Scottish
rating systems