The pandemic has prompted many businesses to review their fixed costs including Business Rates.
Unfortunately, very few office tenants can claim relief from Business Rates due to Covid-19.
There are two exceptions. Firstly, if you can prove that the circumstances affecting your business amount to a 'Material Change in Circumstances' as defined under Schedule 6 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, you may be able to claim relief. Whilst this is a difficult hurdle to cross, it is theoretically possible.
The second exception is if your business qualifies for temporary Business Rates relief. This has so far been limited to retail, leisure and hospitality businesses together with children’s nurseries in England, for the current tax year. So once again, this may not apply to you if you are an office tenant.
If these exceptions do not apply to your business, all is not lost. You still have the option of having someone review your Rates Bill to see if it is accurate. If it is not or there are other extenuating circumstances (e.g. disturbance from a nearby construction site) that might provide grounds for an appeal, then it might still be possible to reduce your rates liability. In some cases, and with the correct supporting evidence, it is possible to go back several years and then successfully claim a rebate.
If you would like advice on your business rates and discover what your options might be, please contact Paul Giness on 0161 457 1422 or email him at pg@tenantag.co.uk.