[2025] UKUT 163 (LC)

This appeal concerns the 2017 rating list assessment of a distribution warehouse (‘the Property’) in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. It deals primarily with the question of whether the rent on the Property, with only a limited amount of other evidence, forms the best guide to rateable value, or should evidence of other assessments, and the ‘tone of the list’ be preferred?

The Property was originally assessed in the 2017 Rating List at rateable value £880,000 with effect from 1 April 2017 and in its decision of 30 August 2024 the Valuation Tribunal for England (‘VTE’) reduced the assessment to rateable value £875,000. In this appeal the appellant seeks an assessment of rateable value £750,000. The Valuation Officer (‘VO’) seeks the restoration of the original assessment.

We inspected the Property on 1 April 2025 accompanied by a representative of Robert Dyas Holdings Limited and Mr Matthew Hawkins of Colliers International. Mrs Mandy Franklin and Mr Andrew Steel of the VO were also present.

At the hearing Mr Laurence Hatchwell represented the appellant and Mrs Mandy Franklin represented the respondent VO. We are grateful to them both.