Local Taxation

Question 1

What are business rates?

Answer 1

A National Taxation collected locally

Question 2

Name some relevant legislation?

Answer 2

• Local Government Finance Act 1988
• Rating Valuation Act 1999
• General Rate Act 1967

Question 3

What is the current UBR for 2021/22?

Answer 3

Small Business Multiplier is 0.499 (RV’s less than £51,000)

Higher Multiplier is 0.512 (£51,000 and over)

Question 4

Summarise the current rating list and your knowledge of any upcoming revaluations?

Answer 4

The last revaluation was in 2017, based on an antecedent valuation date of 1 April 2015.
The next valuation list will be in 2023, with the revaluation date being 1st April 2021.

Question 5

Are there any recent changes to revaluations?

Answer 5

Anticipated that the cycle of new rating lists will be every 3 years.

Question 6

What rates support was provided through COVID-19?

Answer 6

100% retail and hospitality relief from 1st April 2020.

Grants for small businesses (£10,000 for those with RV up to £15,000)

Question 7

What four ingredients make a rateable occupier?

Answer 7

• Actual
• Exclusive
• Beneficial
• Transcience

Question 8

What six ingredients make a hereditament?

Answer 8

• Single Rateable Occupier
• In a billing authority
• Separate Occupation
• Single geographical unit
• Single use
• Single definable position

Question 9

What is a completion notice?

Answer 9

Notice specifies a proposed completion day when building is deemed to be completed. Issued in accordance with S46a of LGFA 1998.

Question 10

Is there any relief available for partially vacant buildings?

Answer 10

Yes. S44a allows temporary exemption from rating of partly occupied buildings, however it is discretionary.

Question 11

What does the Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007 comprise?

Answer 11

If a property is vacant then it can receive 100% relief.

Question 12

What are the different relief periods available under the Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007?

Answer 12

Three months for retail

Six months for industrial

Question 13

How long must a property be re-occupied for before it can qualify for empty property rates relief again?

Answer 13

More than 6 weeks.

Question 14

Name some properties which are exempt from business rates?

Answer 14

• Vacant listed buildings
• Charities
• Community amateur sports clubs
• RV less than £2,900
• Properties held by companies in administration or receivership

Question 15

Recent relevant case law relating to empty properties?

Answer 15

Makro Properties LTD v Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council (2012)

Question 16

Recent relevant case law relating to properties undergoing works?

Answer 16

Monk V Newbigin (2015)

Question 17

Recent relevant case law relating to splits / mergers?

Answer 17

Woolaway v Mazars (2015)

Question 18

What do you understand about small business rates relief?

Answer 18

RV up to £12,000 - no rates payable
RV between £12,000 - £15,000 - tapered relief between 100% and 0%.
To be eligible for the relief the rate payer must have one property with a value of less than £15,000 or one main property.