Ecommerce company lowers business rates with RVA Surveyors
Case study:
eCommerce Company | East of England
Specialises in building online stores and handling global warehousing, packing, and shipping for brands.
KEY
FACTS
4 MONTHS
ACHIEVED IN
£7,867
SAVINGS
Office
PROPERTY TYPE
The Client
Located at 22 Potters Way, Southend-on-Sea, our client operates in the creative production and commercial design sector. They offer integrated services such as large-format printing, marketing materials, and packaging solutions.
To keep operations running smoothly, the business depends on efficient use of both office and storage areas under one roof managing workflow, production, and logistics in a coordinated space.
The Problem
The client had been paying business rates based on an outdated rateable value (RV) of £28,000, assigned by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). This figure no longer reflected how the space was actually being used.
In particular, the mezzanine floor, which had once served as office space, had since been converted for internal storage. Yet it continued to be valued at office rates leading to an inflated liability. Furthermore, some of the ground floor measurements used in the VOA’s valuation were no longer correct, adding to the overstatement.
The Solution
To address this, RVA Surveyors conducted a full inspection to reassess the property’s use, layout, and floor area. We found that much of the mezzanine had been downgraded to basic storage a use that carries a lower value than office space.
Additionally, we discovered discrepancies in recorded ground floor measurements. With this updated evidence, we submitted a formal Check to the VOA as part of the Check, Challenge, Appeal process. Our submission clearly outlined the revised floor plan and the reclassification of use, presenting a solid argument for a reduced RV.
The Outcome
The VOA reviewed our submission and agreed with the proposed changes. As a result, they reduced the RV from £28,000 to £20,500.
This adjustment led to a significant reduction in the client’s annual business rates. More importantly, the updated assessment now aligns with the building’s actual use ensuring the client pays only for what they use today, not what they used in the past.
Savings achieved: £7,867
Surveyor comment
“During our inspection, it became evident that a large portion of the mezzanine had shifted from a higher-value office setup to a far more basic internal storage use. That change had never been accounted for in the rating assessment, which meant the client was effectively being taxed for space they weren’t using in the way originally valued.“
