Meeting Room 01 Level 24 The Shard 31, St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellant challenged the rateable values of 50 serviced office suites on levels 24 and 25 of The Shard, arguing for a base price of £500/m² instead of £550/m², and contending that a tower uplift should not apply to south-facing suites lacking River Thames views. The tribunal applied binding principles from Bunyan v Acenden on rent analysis, finding the valuation officer had correctly analysed the subject rent and comparable evidence by amortising rent-free periods over the full lease term (not just to first review), as there was no break clause. The tribunal rejected the appellant's submissions on the tower uplift, finding insufficient evidence that south-facing suites were less desirable. The tribunal allowed 48 appeals in part, reducing assessments by 5% for a material change of circumstances (building works) from 1 April 2017 to 31 January 2022, but dismissed appeals for two suites already benefiting from this 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)
• Valuation method
• Change of circumstances

Change of circumstances

demolition and reconstruction of adjacent building (Fielden House)

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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