Meeting Room 03 Level 24 The Shard 31, St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellant sought reductions in rateable values, primarily challenging the £550/m² base tone and contending for a 5% allowance for material change of circumstances from 1 April 2017 to 31 January 2022 due to demolition of Fielden House and reconstruction. The tribunal found the £550/m² valuation was reasonable based on comparable rent evidence, particularly a new letting on the antecedent valuation date at £604/m² after adjustments. The tribunal accepted the valuation officer's approach to amortising rent-free periods in accordance with Bunyan v Acenden (over the full lease term absent a break clause) and rejected the appellant's alternative analyses as unreliable. The tribunal allowed all appeals except Suites 2511 and 2512 (already benefiting from a 5% allowance) with a 5% reduction for the material change period, allowing the appeals in part.

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

Grounds argued

• Rental evidence
• Comparable assessments (tone)
• Change of circumstances · decisive

Change of circumstances

demolition and reconstruction of adjacent building (Fielden House)

Evidence

Rents, Earlier tribunal decisions

Cases cited

Lotus and Delta v Culverwell; Bunyan (VO) v Acenden Limited; Specialeyes Plc v Felgate

Hearing

5 March 2025

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