Youth support provider reduces business rates with RVA Surveyors
Case study:
Youth Support Provider | North West
Specialising in providing alternative provision and wrap‑around services for young people aged 8–18.
KEY
FACTS
2 MONTHS
ACHIEVED IN
£12,938
SAVINGS
Learning Centre
PROPERTY TYPE
The Client
Based in the Digital Park, Pacific Way, Salford area, this organisation operates within the youth services sector, specialising in developmental support for young individuals.
Their work includes running tailored programs that aim to empower young people, enhance life skills, and encourage active participation within their communities.
The Problem
The client’s rateable value (RV) had been set at £90,500 by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) — a figure that, unfortunately, did not accurately reflect the variation in condition and age across the buildings on site.
Although some sections were modern and well-equipped, others were significantly older and less functional. Nevertheless, the entire property was assessed under a single standard, which ultimately led to an inflated business rates liability. As a result, the assessment failed to recognise the mixed condition of the premises, placing unnecessary financial strain on the organisation.
The Solution
To address this, RVA Surveyors carried out a comprehensive inspection of the property and its functional usage. During our evaluation, we determined that the premises no longer aligned with the original rating category. Therefore, we initiated steps to reclassify the site into a more appropriate valuation scheme.
This shift allowed a lower cost per square metre to be applied one that more accurately reflected the organisation’s actual operating environment. Importantly, the process involved close coordination with the VOA and required expert understanding of rateable property categorisation and valuation standards.
The Outcome
As a result of the reclassification, the property’s RV was successfully reduced from £54,000 to £48,250. This adjustment delivered substantial savings on property-related expenses and significantly eased the financial burden on the organisation.
The cost reduction enabled the client to reallocate funds towards the enhancement of their youth programs, supporting broader organisational goals and improving service delivery across the board.
Savings in liability achieved: £12,938
Surveyor comment
“The reduction made a real difference, with less spent on rates meant more resources could go straight into supporting their youth programmes, which was great to see.”
