The service offered by chartered surveyors the Beattie Partnership, who are a member of RICS is available nationwide and based on a ‘no win-no fee' basis.

KBSA Chief Executive, Graham Ball explains: "Every five years the rateable values of all non-domestic properties in England and Wales are reassessed, the next one being in April 2010. However, there are opportunities for lodging appeals now to achieve a refund in your rates back to 2005. The Beattie Partnership can help members to put their case together. There are many reasons why premises' rates could be reduced, such as a low rent being affected by nearby premises having been vacated, or an incorrect floor area on file, or even because of limited customer access.

"The KBSA have negotiated a 10% reduction off the Beattie Partnership normal fees for KBSA members. The fee basis that we have secured for our members allows them to instruct the Beattie Partnership to investigate their circumstances and fees are only due if an appeal is lodged and won, fees are based on a % of the saving achieved."

In addition to the rates appeal service the Beattie Partnership can seek to make savings elsewhere for those members who have a commercial lease on their premises.

"They can renegotiate lease and rental provisions and identify other options that could be negotiated with a landlord such as rent-free periods and capping or reducing service charges.

"It remains an increasingly tough market and the KBSA is committed to providing our members with tangible benefits designed to reduce their outgoings and to contribute to the growth and success of their business. It is during these challenging times that we are able to demonstrate the true value of association membership," concludes Graham.

For further information, please go to the KBSA website at www.kbsa.org.uk

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