Business rates reform
The so-called 'staircase tax' could be cut by the end of the year, the Chancellor Philip Hammond indicated in October 2017. This follows strong representations being made to government regarding reform of business rates law.
There has been considerable discontent over the years about the fact that where a tenant occupies multiple floors of a building, each floor will normally be treated as separate premises for the calculation of business rates if they can be accessed by other occupants of the building via a common lift or staircase.
This calculation normally produces higher bills than would be the case if the premises were treated as being a single unit.
Following a Supreme Court decision in 2015, the Valuation Office Agency has been issuing backdated rates demands to businesses occupying multiple floors of a building.
Recent statements by the Chancellor indicate that the 2017 Autumn Budget may offer some relief. However, until business rates law is amended, it is worth considering that occupying more than one unit in an office block may have unexpected cost implications.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.