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Professional

Summary of professional services


Rent Reviews

As every lease is different, a full understanding of leases and Landlord and Tenant law is critical to successful rent review negotiations. Combined with expert knowledge of the local market we use these skills to advise landlords of the opportunities for rental growth and tenants on controlling their occupational costs.

When a settlement cannot be reached by negotiation we are experienced in representing clients at Abitration or at referral to an Independent Expert.

Existing clients' property details are held on a database which brings rent review dates to our attention well in advance in order that we are well placed to advise our clients before the date itself.

Lease Renewals

When leases end, an opportunity arises for both the Landlord and Tenant to re-evaluate their situation and make changes to the agreement to ensure that the property performs well for them over the next few years.

At ASH & Co we realise that this offers a wide range of possibilities to strengthen our clients position whether acting for a Landlord or Tenant and that there may be far more important considerations than merely the level of rent.

Our local knowledge enables us to provide clients with a balanced view of the situation ensuring that all available options are given consideration before agreeing to new lease terms.

Rates

ASH & Co offer a range of rating services aimed at reducing your business overheads and simplifying what is a complex tax system affecting all business occupiers and owners of empty commercial property.

We combine many years experience of Rating Valuation and Law, local knowledge and a detailed understanding of the Uniform Business Rate and Transitional Relief to advise clients on opportunities to make savings in this significant outgoing.

Opportunities to appeal arise not only at every five yearly Revaluation but also whenever any alterations to a property its occupation or its immediate environment occur and include the effects of temporary road closure on a property or the effect on nearby towns of the opening of a major out of town shopping centre.

We provide detailed rating advice across all sectors of the property market to include the following:

Rating Appeals – Handling the appeal process and negotiations on existing rating valuations.
Vacant Rates – Advice on exemptions, appealing Completion Notices on new builds and forecasting potential liabilities.
Rates Management – Advice on bills and their correct calculation, preparation of forecasts and budgets and processing of rebates; and
Revaluation – Advice on the potential increase at Revaluation in April 2010, forward planning and preparation for appeals, lodging appeals, negotiation of reductions in rating valuations, monitoring of rebates.

New rating assessments have recently been published prior to bills been issued in April 2010. However, the valuation date remains as 1 April 2008, a time when property values were particularly difficult to assess. Market conditions were uncertain and coming off the back of a long period of sustained growth.

Empty rates - let us minimise your bill

Compensation and other Specialist Services


We advise landowners on a wide range of compensation issues such as Compulsary Purchases, Wayleave Agreements with utility companies, temporary road closures and the negotiation of licences with mobile communication operators.

We view our role in such matters as being to reduce the impact of the project on your business as well as negotiating suitable compensation. In most situations our fees are paid by the other party enabling you to enjoy the full benefit of the compensation package negotiated on your behalf.

At ASH & Co we are always willing to respond to a new challenge and are already involved in new areas of work such as mobile phone mast and surface water drainage charge negotiations.

New lease of life for city 'eyesore

Work should be completed this month on one of Gloucester's biggest city centre office developments, replacing what was once a major eyesore.
The former Courts furniture store in Bruton Way, Gloucester, which lay empty and deteriorating for several years, has been given a new lease of life. The building has been transformed into modern office accommodation and is now partially occupied by Gloucester City Homes, which has leased more than 10,000 sq ft of offices on the ground floor.

Work is progressing on the remaining 20,000 sq ft, with completion anticipated in January, to provide further offices to accommodate traditional lettings for small to large occupiers alongside a serviced office operation with a staffed reception.

Now renamed Railway House with the city station just a short distance away, the architects were Roberts Limbrick, who previously transformed the neighbouring Gloucester Carriage and Wagon Works building unveiled last year. It is now the prestige headquarters of Roberts Limbrick and has won praise for the company's joint managing directors Stephen Limbrick and Jeff Roberts.

Railway House was purchased in 2010 by private investment company Formal Investments Limited, based in Festival House, Cheltenham.

Clare Savage, of Formal Investments, commented: "We wanted to raise the game and bring a high standard of flexible, modern office accommodation to Gloucester city. Many occupiers want to stay in the city, but can't find the flexibility or standard they need and, despite the tough market, we are confident of our product."

Nick Bevan Consulting Limited are agents for Formal Investments Limited and Gloucester City Homes was represented by ASH and Co Chartered Surveyors, based in Gloucester.

10th January 2012 

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