Hodges Ltd v Howells (VO)

Hodges Ltd v Howells (VO) - 1993 - Rating Appeals 1993 RA 236-247(6) .

LT 10 August 1993. A shop and premises were assessed at £18,000 rv, based on a zone A value of £275 sm. The ratepayer (H) sought a reduction to £12,000 on the grounds that in March 1988 the rent had been set at £12,000 reflecting an open market rental value and in March 1992 it had increased to £14,000 demonstrating that an rv of £18,000 was excessive. The VO supported his case by reference to comparables and by the fact that H`s valuation relied solely on the one rental agreement which was out of line with general evidence for the area. LT held that the assessment be reduced to £16,375 arguing that the actual rent paid in 1988 should be rejected as conclusive evidence as a comparison with June 1987 rents in an inferior position confirmed the VO`s contention that the actual rent was less than comparable figures and that the agreed assessment of £185 for zone A was too high and should be £250.


COMPARABLES
RATING APPEALS
REDUCTION
SHOP