The publication of the Government’s final report on the fundamental review of business rates has now been delayed until Autumn 2021. The review was announced by the Chancellor in the Spring Budget of 2020 and was originally due to publish a final report in time for the 2020 Autumn Statement. When that Autumn Statement was scrapped because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, publication of the final report of this review was postponed until Spring 2021. It has now been postponed further to Autumn 2021 ”when there is more economic certainty”. ...Read More

The Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Non-Domestic Rating Multipliers) (England) Order 2021 confirms that the Uniform Business Rate multiplier for 2021/20 in England will be frozen at it current level of 49.9 pence. The Order confirms an announcement made as part of the Autumn Statement last year, but will offer little real assistance to ratepayers struggling under the burden of the current lockdown in England ...Read More

The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has dismissed an appeal made by a ratepayer seeking deletion of the rating assessment of a property that was to be redeveloped because, at the relevant date, the works to alter and redevelop the property had not commenced and it was still capable of beneficial occupation. The Upper Tribunal’s decision reminds ratepayers and others that it is works that render a property incapable of beneficial occupation, rather than an intention to redevelop, that dictate when a property should be deleted from the rating list. ...Read More

The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has allowed an appeal against a decision of the Valuation Tribunal for England that quashed a Completion Notice issued by the London Borough of Newham in respect of a new building in East London. The Upper Tribunal also determined a completion date for the new property. The decision is of particular interest at present as new buildings may be completed, but remain unoccupied because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. ...Read More