Tribunals · Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council · 2017 rating list

UNITS 4-­6 ARUNDEL HOUSE, GARNELL BUSINESS PARK, BROWNFIELDS, BROWNFIELDS, AL7 1AY

Decided 28 February 2025 CHG101178993 Altus Group - Oakland - Manchester

OutcomeAllowedThe tribunal reduced the rateable value.
Original RV£43,750£130/m²
Ratepayer sought£24,500
VO conceded first£38,000−13% before the hearing
Tribunal decided£24,500£84/m²

Figures are as stated in the decision; a dash means the document does not state that figure. This decision covers 3 properties; the figures shown are for the first listed.

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellant contended that offices on the first floor of an industrial building should be valued on an industrial basis with an uplift for offices, at £84/m2, rather than as offices with the VO's adopted rate of £130/m2 (reduced from £150/m2). The tribunal accepted comparable assessment evidence from similar first-floor office properties within industrial buildings on the same estate, assessed at £70/m2 plus 20% uplift. The tribunal allowed the appeals, determining that an unadjusted rate of £84/m2 more accurately reflected the style, location and quality of the appeal properties.

Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was Garnell Property Investments Limited, represented.

Grounds argued

  • Comparable assessments (tone) · decisive
  • Valuation method
Evidence
Rents, Settled assessments, Photographs
Cases cited
Lotus and Delta v Culverwell
Hearing
11 February 2025

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