Tribunals · City of Westminster · 2017 rating list

Lower Ground Floor, 12 St James's Square, SW1Y 4RB

Lower Ground Floor office and premises Decided 3 February 2025 CHG100873213 Allsop LLP - John Banbury

OutcomeAllowed in partThe tribunal reduced the rateable value, but by less than the ratepayer sought.

Original RV£625,000£1150/m²

Ratepayer sought£402,500

VO conceded first—

Tribunal decided£462,500£575/m²

Figures are as stated in the decision; a dash means the document does not state that figure.

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellant challenged the rateable value contending the rate per m2 should be reduced from £1,150/m2 to £1,000/m2 and the relativity from 0.75 to 0.5. The tribunal found the £1,150/m2 rate was supported by comparable rental evidence for properties in St James's Square at or near the valuation date. However, the tribunal accepted that the lower ground floor property lacked effective natural light (only flood-lit light wells provided no useful natural light) and was comparable to basement offices. The tribunal therefore reduced the relativity from 0.75 to 0.5, resulting in an RV of £462,500.

Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was JC Rathbone Holdings Ltd, represented.