Has anyone dealt with business rates on a livery yard? HELP

tobiano1984

tobiano1984

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 February 2012
Messages
1,017
Visit site
I've posted about this before but just having a bit of a panic! Had the valuations people round, they said it should fall within small business rate relief (12 indoor barn stables, 3 falling down 'sheds' outside, outdoor school, few storage bays/rooms). But then had a letter through from the VOA in London asking me to fill in an online rent form detailing my lease agreements, sub-lettings, details of improvements, details of rent etc etc. My lease is a bit vague - I don't have one! And have paid differing amounts over the last few years I've been here.

So just wanted to see if anyone is on here who knows what they're talking about or even better has actually dealt with it! From looking on the valuations website, the few livery yards that I can find on it are paying £250 per stable, £1 per sqm for the school and minimal amounts for the storage. Which is all fine, comparable sized yards to mine are well below small business relief level. But then this letter from the VOA in London says that they need my rent details in order to calculate rates - my rent is £12k a year, which if thy take that as the rateable value would put me over the SBBR level! or is this just an automatic letter sent out to all valued businesses? It's all very confusing. I only do DIY livery in half of the stables and the rest are just for my horses.
 
I thought business rates were only payable by the property owner i.e. the person you are paying your rent to.
 
In simple terms indeed business rates are normally calculated using the rent the property would attract on the open market.
Please also be aware that if your budgets rely on the exemption for small businesses that may soon be going as it was only a temporary measure .
 
Eek. Why on earth don't you have a lease? Even when my own mother loaned me some money we had a formal agreement drawn up and lodged with the solicitor.
 
popsdosh said:
In simple terms indeed business rates are normally calculated using the rent the property would attract on the open market.
Please also be aware that if your budgets rely on the exemption for small businesses that may soon be going as it was only a temporary measure .
Click to expand...

Yes for normal businesses but stables are rated normally £250 per loosebox, £1/sqm for outdoor school etc etc which is why I was surprised by the letter asking for my rent details (despite giving them to the valuations officer who came round!)

And apparently SBRR is going to be doubled in 2017 to £12,000...according to this - http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/news/stories/budget-announces-cuts-to-business-rates-from-2017/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top