Flood Victims Could Be Entitled To Extensive Rate Relief

by Stewart Douglas

Story link: Flood Victims Could Be Entitled To Extensive Rate Relief

Property factors Johnson FM have today suggested that commercial premises damaged by the widespreading flooding throughout central England earlier in the summer could be missing out on an additional £300 million in relief against their rates.

In a statement made by managing director, Kev Elliot, 15000 potential victims of the flooding could use a ‘hardship’ clause to effect a relief against their rates payable to local authorities. It is thought that this would be open most businesses that had suffered damage where there was some stock remaining within the premises.

The statement has come from Johnson FM experience in representing flood victims, which has allowed them and their clients to see reliefs running close to the millions of pounds against rate payments. They advise that these cases are currently increasing in number, and there may still be potential for other flood victims that sustained property damage to receive similar rebates, potentially saving them thousands on their rates bill in the process.

According to Elliot, there are potential clauses within local authority rates legislation that allow companies that have fallen victim to flooding resulting in damage to commercial property to reduce the amount of rates payable, as a means of ensuring adequate recovery and minimal loss over the immediately proceeding period.

The no-win no-fee policy of Johnson FM has seen them work with in excess of 50 clients as a direct link to the flooding of this summer, with the potential for increasing clients as the issue becomes more widespread, and companies become more aware of their rights to relief.

Additionally with government flood defences spending plans already cited as inadequate by the industry, Elliot suggests that this may be relevant to an increasing number of businesses with the potential to suffer from future flooding damage.