Following the 2005 Rating Revaluation we noted various clients, who occupied older industrial properties in parts of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, had experienced falls in their Rateable Values and rate payments compared to 2004/2005 - these falls occurred largely due to a fall off in industrial rental levels towards the end of the last Revaluation cycle. 

Although these reductions were welcome to our clients, the fall in values restricted the potential savings from a successful appeal against the new 2005 Rateable Value. This was because of the complicated transitional arrangements restricting falls and increases in rate payments following the 2005 Revaluation.  Nonetheless, James Barr took the innovative step of lodging appeals for the previous rate year 2004/05, prior to the 31st March 2005 time limit for doing so.  The objective was to have a reduced  Rateable Value (based on the material  fall in rents) applicable also to the earlier 2004/2005 rate year so giving our clients rate refunds for 2004/05, plus knock-on savings following the 2005 Revaluation.(utilising our interpretation of the transitional legislation.) . 

Many of these Appeals are now concluded with us having successfully negotiated reduced 2004/2005 Rateable Values and savings effective from 1 April 2004 onwards.  This resulted in worthwhile savings for a number of our industrial clients in parts of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

Should further information be required on the above case, please contact Tom Davidson.