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UK hoteliers have until 31 March to reclaim overpaid business rates from the last five years.
According to Manchester-based CVS (Commercial Valuers and Surveyors), the majority of UK hoteliers are unaware that rates can be challenged.
As many hotels are still suffering from falls in RevpAR (revenue per available room), CVS estimates that hoteliers are paying, on average, around 13 percent per year too much on their business rates.
According to figures from CVS, 13,492 hotels were assessed during the 2005 Ratings List, with a total rateable value liability of £947m. CVS claims that successful appeals result in typical savings of more than £21,000.
Chris Barker, senior rating Consultant at CVS, said: "It is often the case that the majority of commercial property occupiers are unaware that business rates can be challenged.
"The Valuation Office Agency's approach to adopting a percentage of the hotel takings as a basis of arriving at your 2010 rating assessment is fundamentally flawed.
"Currently hoteliers may be taxed on their expertise, levels of service and the nature of furniture and fittings. Rating assessments should be based on the rental values as at 1st April 2008 at a time when property values were falling."
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