28th November 2014

Alder King wins landmark court decision resulting in business rates reduction for self-catering holiday operators

Alder King’s business rates team has secured another landmark win at the Valuation Tribunal in London on behalf of 12 Cornish self-catering cottage operators, producing over £100,000 of refunds in over-paid business rates.

The decision sets an important precedent and presents an opportunity for other holiday complex operators to secure a reduction in their business rates liabilities.

The Valuation Office Agency, the government body responsible for rating, maintained at the Tribunal that the rateable values were correct.  After hearing evidence of actual trading accounts put forward by Alder King, the Tribunal agreed almost entirely with Alder King’s position and reduced the rateable values of all the appeal properties. 

Alan Morrish, partner in Alder King’s business rates team who gave evidence at the Tribunal, said: “The decision of the Tribunal creates an important precedent and a real opportunity to re-examine the business rates assessments of holiday complexes throughout the country.

“Based on the decision of the Tribunal, there is a good argument for reducing the rating assessments of many holiday homes.  Importantly a reduction in rateable value and a refund of over-paid rates can be backdated to 1 April 2010.”

More information on Alder King’s business rates services is available by clicking here.