Business rates
Saving you money on your rating liability
We understand that business rates represent a significant cost for your business and that navigating this increasingly complex area can be challenging.
Our team of 11 business rates experts based across the UK make it their business to help occupiers of commercial property, developers and investors to save money on their business rates.
From challenging and reclaiming historical overpayments and assessing your current liability, to helping you to plan for the future, our business rates experts can help.
We work all types of organisations from SMEs with one property to investors and large corporates with extensive portfolios, including St John Ambulance and JoJo Maman Bébé.
We cover a range of asset types, from industrial, logistics and offices, to marine and leisure property and have taken care of clients across the length and breadth of the UK.
Having reached somewhat of an impasse with the valuation officer ourselves, we were delighted that, with just two weeks until our case was heard at tribunal, Vail Williams came on board and completely turned things round for us. They pulled together an excellent argument at very short notice and got the result that we knew we deserved.
Adam Park, Chief Operating Officer, Renaissance Capital Partners.
Many businesses are unaware that they have overpaid their business rates in the past. We can audit your business rates to check rate demands have been calculated correctly and make claims for overpayments on your behalf.
Our rating experts will ensure you pay only what is rightfully due on your properties.
If there are grounds to challenge your rateable value, our rating experts will do so, managing the complex appeal process introduced for the 2017 rating list.
From empty rates relief when you vacate a property to retail rate relief amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we will explore all potential reliefs open to your business, to save money on your business rates.
If your business is being impacted by development or refurbishment works, you are entitled to rates relief based on what is known as a ‘material change in circumstance’ and we can lodge an appeal on your behalf.
Drawing on expertise from across the firm, we provide strategic advice, to review under-utilised space as well as exploring opportunities to split or merge properties.
Our services
Rating audit
Many businesses are unaware that they have overpaid their business rates in the past. We can audit your business rates to check rate demands have been calculated correctly and make claims for overpayments on your behalf.
Rating assurance review
Our rating experts will ensure you pay only what is rightfully due on your properties.
Check, Challenge, Appeal
If there are grounds to challenge your rateable value, our rating experts will do so, managing the complex appeal process introduced for the 2017 rating list.
Rating relief review
From empty rates relief when you vacate a property to retail rate relief amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we will explore all potential reliefs open to your business, to save money on your business rates.
Disturbance refunds
If your business is being impacted by development or refurbishment works, you are entitled to rates relief based on what is known as a ‘material change in circumstance’ and we can lodge an appeal on your behalf.
Strategic advice and Empty Rates
Drawing on expertise from across the firm, we provide strategic advice, to review under-utilised space as well as exploring opportunities to split or merge properties.
“Vail Williams were clear, concise and proactive. Their application to the Council was accepted first time, creating a saving of over £70,000 over the current valuation period, far more than we anticipated. Needless to say, we were very pleased!”
Charles Hylton-Potts, Partner, Peacock & Co. Solicitors.
