Tribunals · London Borough of Southwark · 2017 rating list

Suite 2503 Level 25 The Shard 31, St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY

Serviced office suites Decided 1 April 2025 CHG101088264 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£8,370£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 contended that the rateable values should be reduced from a base price of £550/m² to £500/m² and that a 10–11% 'Tower uplift' should be removed from 17 suites on the south side of the building lacking Thames views. The tribunal found that the valuation officer's analysis of the rent, following Bunyan v Acenden principles for amortising rent-free periods over the full lease term (not merely to the next rent review), was more reliable than the appellant's multiple differing analyses. The tribunal rejected the uplift removal argument due to lack of evidence that south-facing suites were less desirable. The tribunal allowed appeals in part by granting a 5% end allowance for material change of circumstances (demolition of Fielden House) from 1 April 2017 to 31 January 2022, except for Suites 2511 and 2512 which had already benefited from such an 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 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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