Tribunals · London Borough of Southwark · 2017 rating list

Suite 2511 Level 25 The Shard 31, St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY

Serviced office suites Decided 1 April 2025 CHG101087999 Avison Young (UK) Ltd

OutcomeAllowed in partThe tribunal reduced the rateable value, but by less than the ratepayer sought.
Original RV£8,800£550/m²
Ratepayer sought—
VO conceded first—
Tribunal decided£8,300£550/m²

Figures are as stated in the decision; a dash means the document does not state that figure. This decision covers 50 properties; the figures shown are for the first listed.

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellant argued for a reduction to a tone of £500/m2 and removal of the tower uplift for south-facing suites, relying on various analysis of comparable rents. The tribunal found the valuation officer's approach to devaluation of rent-free periods in accordance with Bunyan v Acenden Limited (amortising over the full lease term rather than to first review) was more persuasive, and that the base tone of £550/m2 was not unreasonable. The tribunal allowed a 5% end allowance for material change of circumstances (demolition and reconstruction of Fielden House) from 1 April 2017 to 31 January 2022, except for two suites that had already benefited from this adjustment. Two appeals for suites 2511 and 2512 were dismissed as they had already received the allowance.

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

Grounds argued

  • Comparable assessments (tone)
  • Rental evidence
  • Change of circumstances
Change of circumstances
demolition and reconstruction of adjacent building
Evidence
Rents, Expert report
Cases cited
Lotus and Delta v Culverwell; Bunyan v Acenden Limited; Specialeyes Plc v Felgate
Hearing
5 March 2025

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