Unit 5, Broughton Close, RG30 1DZ
Offices and Premises Decided 24 May 2022 CHG100568255 Altus Group - Oakland - Manchester
Figures are as stated in the decision; a dash means the document does not state that figure. This decision covers 26 properties; the figures shown are for the first listed.
What was argued and what the tribunal found
The appellants sought a 65% reduction in rateable value for their office building based on material changes of circumstances arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, relying on physical manifestations in the locality such as reduced pedestrian traffic and arguing that Covid anxiety constituted a relevant matter outside the scope of section 1(4) of the Rating (Coronavirus) and Directors Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) Act 2021. The tribunal held that the 2021 Act clearly prohibited any reduction directly or indirectly attributable to coronavirus, whether through Covid-related physical changes in the locality or through Covid anxiety affecting public behaviour. The tribunal dismissed all 26 appeals, finding that the Act had achieved its purpose of preventing alterations to 2017 rating list entries to reflect coronavirus impacts.
Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was Vistra International Expansion Ltd, represented.
Grounds argued
- Change of circumstances · decisive
- Change of circumstances
- covid
- Evidence
- Expert report
- Cases cited
- Clement v Addis Ltd [1988] 1 WLR 301; Chilton-Merryweather v Hunt [2008] RA 357; Pavlou (Valuation Officer) [2015] RA 301; The Financial Conduct Authority v Arch and others Case ID [UKSC 2020/0177]; John Burvill and Gareth David Jones (Valuation Officer) [2012] RA 23; Kendrick (Valuation Officer) [2009] RA 145
- Hearing
- 18 May 2022
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