Anyone got the 10k business Rates relief grant yet?

[qqcs]

Jimbof covers most things here. What exactly is the nature of your business? And re the unoccupied bit, just send them a copy of your tenancy agreement. It sounds like it was classed as empty at one stage and it hasn't been updated.

We are furniture fitter company. As i mentioned before, wearemuch worst situation than hospitality bussineses because we install furnitures in residental homes so the customers asked usmuchearlier to stop visit their homes than the offical lockdown

 

[swankypants69]

UPDATE:

This is becoming somewhat of a joke at this stage.

1. We applied on the 27th March
2. It took numerous enquiries to be told exactly one month later on 27th April that the application had failed and we would need to apply in a different name. The form asks for trading name which is what we initially provided, the council stated we should provide the company reg name.
3. We reapplied on the 27th and sent an email to state such at that time.
4. It's now over 10 days since we re-applied and despite requests for info our emails are going ignored.

I just don't know what to do. It's not like I can speak to anyone.

Haven’t read whole thread, have you applied for a bounce back loan?

 

[Porky]

We are furniture fitter company. As i mentioned before, wearemuch worst situation than hospitality bussineses because we install furnitures in residental homes so the customers asked usmuchearlier to stop visit their homes than the offical lockdown

I really feel for your position. Businesses are under significant pressure at the moment and you are another example of a different form of retail business in a larger rateable value unit falling thorough the gaps of the scheme.

Meanwhile the council couldn’t care less and the execs at the top of the council are doing nothing about it. Rules are rules. They will see you go under and lay staff off rather than do something about it, yet we are the very businesses contributing to council revenues in the good times. I don’t think they get it but worse they think they do but they aren’t the ones dealing with the fall out from this.

Not sure what else you can do, its outside your control. Our premises has been closed since 7th March, we are expecting to reopen shortly with modifications completed, the council grant would seriously help, but like you, we are on our own, no help from the council likely.

We both fall through the gaps like Many “other retail” types of business. What’s worse is that Some councils are still sitting on 60% of the money that’s allocated to help businesses like us - you couldn’t make it up.

Take care now

 

[Airwolf1]

Unsure what Porky means

Meanwhile the council couldn’t care less and the execs at the top of the council are doing nothing about it. Rules are rules.

Rules are rules and the council cannot alter them for one company and not another. The Councils have to abide by the Government's instruction.

 

[Airwolf1]

We are furniture fitter company. As i mentioned before, wearemuch worst situation than hospitality bussineses because we install furnitures in residental homes so the customers asked usmuchearlier to stop visit their homes than the offical lockdown

Do you have any retail in the property, where the public or firms may come in and look at what you have and buy direct, and is this retail area larger than the remaining parts? (Wholly or mainly is the wording here).

Alternatively, you may wish to consider getting in touch with a reputable company of Rating surveyors. Preparations are being made to Challenge the rateable values of some clients properties based on Covid 19 being a Material Change of Circumstances. Be careful who you go with (if anyone), there are lots out there, some good, some not so good.

 

[Porky]

Do you have any retail in the property, where the public or firms may come in and look at what you have and buy direct, and is this retail area larger than the remaining parts? (Wholly or mainly is the wording here).

Alternatively, you may wish to consider getting in touch with a reputable company of Rating surveyors. Preparations are being made to Challenge the rateable values of some clients properties based on Covid 19 being a Material Change of Circumstances. Be careful who you go with (if anyone), there are lots out there, some good, some not so good.

I had considered myself getting a re-rate Service involved then it was pointed out in the council T&C that the grant is based on the RV as at a specific date. Ie it would be prior to the re-rating date and the council could still decline you. It’s unlikely he would qualify for the >15k RV grant as he would be unlikely to be reduced that far anyway and he doesn’t fit the council definition of “Retail”

Also, qqcs is a B2B retail, like us he is probably going out and quoting on furniture fits etc or inviting the client on premises by appointment. The council will only define you as Retail under this scheme if you are B2C ie open to the public footfall. The fact that he is closed just the same and has the same issues as B2C retailers is totally ignored by the council

Other types of retail, should fit the retail category of the grant but they don’t - this is the issue, they fall through the gaps of the scheme.

I can tell you probably work at the council so why not lobby HMG to do something about this rather than suggesting qqcs waste his time paying out money he doesn’t have on re-rating services or going back to the council only to get remain declined - pointless, it’s not helping.

 

[THS Jones]

We applied for ours filling in the online form on the 7th May, received an email yesterday the 15th May to say successful and the funds will be available in the bank in 3 days time.

 

[Airwolf1]

I had considered myself getting a re-rate Service involved then it was pointed out in the council T&C that the grant is based on the RV as at a specific date. Ie it would be prior to the re-rating date and the council could still decline you. It’s unlikely he would qualify for the >15k RV grant as he would be unlikely to be reduced that far anyway and he doesn’t fit the council definition of “Retail”

Also, qqcs is a B2B retail, like us he is probably going out and quoting on furniture fits etc or inviting the client on premises by appointment. The council will only define you as Retail under this scheme if you are B2C ie open to the public footfall. The fact that he is closed just the same and has the same issues as B2C retailers is totally ignored by the council

Other types of retail, should fit the retail category of the grant but they don’t - this is the issue, they fall through the gaps of the scheme.

You misunderstand me. I'm not talking about the grant here at all. I'm discussing a reduction in the rateable value as a possible material change in circumstances, which is totally different. So there is a possibility of something being saved here if the appeal was successful. If the appeal was successful there would be a temporary reduction in the RV, hence a temporary reduction in the rates payable. A lot of firms work on a no win no fee basis anyway so hardly paying out if he actually gets a reduction. All I was advising is that there are some companies out there who may not be as good as others, so do your own research first. There would be nothing wrong in picking up the phone and having a chat with 1 or 2 after you've done your research and asking the question about Covid 19 and appealing as a material change in circumstances.