Tribunals · London Borough of Southwark · 2017 rating list

Reception Level 24 The Shard 31, St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY

Office suites and ancillary spaces Decided 1 April 2025 CHG101088166 Avison Young (UK) Ltd

OutcomeMixed
Original RV£8,800£550/m²
Ratepayer sought£500
VO conceded first£550−94% before the hearing
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, a serviced office provider, challenged rateable values for 50 office suites on Levels 24-25 of The Shard, seeking reduction from £550/m² to £500/m² and removal of a tower uplift from south-facing units. The tribunal applied binding authority from Bunyan v Acenden on rent devaluation methodology and found the base price of £550/m² was reasonable based on analysis of actual lettings with extensive rent-free periods amortised over the full lease term. The tribunal rejected the appellant's arguments regarding south-facing units lacking River Thames views, finding no evidence they were less desirable. The tribunal allowed 48 appeals in part with a 5% end allowance for material change of circumstances (demolition reconstruction) from April 2017 to January 2022, but dismissed appeals for Suites 2511-2512 which had already benefited from the 5% 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)
  • Change of circumstances
Change of circumstances
demolition and reconstruction
Evidence
Rents, Expert report
Cases cited
Lotus and Delta v Culverwell; Bunyan (VO) v Acenden Limited; Specialeyes Plc v Felgate
Hearing
5 March 2025

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