Business Rates Advice

[Adam3030]

Hi guys hope everyone is well and business is well!

I am in the flooring trade - and I have recently taken over a building - which comprises of a main showroom, and an outer warehouse.

When I took over the building, it was a showroom, and then to the rear there was a 4 metre gap and then a warehouse. I have knocked down the rear partition wall of the showroom, and knocked a doorway through the warehouse, and erected two walls and a felt roof essentially for easy access between showroom and warehouse. Essentially I have 2 completely separate buildings with a 3-4 metre gap in between. I've put a roof and walls - and 2 doorways between them. So we can go between showroom and warehouse even in the rain etc

My question is, how badly will this affect my rates? I will inform the VOA but just wanted a heads up. We are they are still two separate buildings, both on separate foundations and separate roofs. The rear is only being used for storage.

I know the previous valuation had it listed as external storage and the rates were cheap, will it still be classed as external storage?

Will it be significantly cheaper for me to just demolish my tunnel and keep them as two separate buildings?

 

[kulture]

So you are putting a covered walkway between two buildings and not changing the buildings other than a doorway for access purposes. Presumably the rear building is still just used for storage and not now used as an extension for the showroom?

Why do you think that you need to inform the valuation office?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

It might be better just to do nothing!

 

[Adam3030]

So you are putting a covered walkway between two buildings and not changing the buildings other than a doorway for access purposes. Presumably the rear building is still just used for storage and not now used as an extension for the showroom?

Why do you think that you need to inform the valuation office?

That's exactly what it is a covered walk way. Customers are not allowed in there.

I thought I'd inform them to avoid getting a back dated bill in the event of an inspection, what are your thoughts on this?

 

[Adam3030]

It might be better just to do nothing!

Lol I may just keep it hush. Any chance of a back dated bill?

 

[HFE Signs]

That's exactly what it is a covered walk way. Customers are not allowed in there.

I thought I'd inform them to avoid getting a back dated bill in the event of an inspection, what are your thoughts on this?

They only back date to the start of April of the current tax year