Roger Hannah has been involved in a substantial number of compensation claims on behalf of businesses, both locally, regionally, and nationally.
The underlying principle of compensation is that of equivalence. This means that a claimant should be no worse and no better off in financial terms than they would have been if the interest had not been compulsorily acquired.
A claimant is entitled to the market value of their land/property. A Compulsory Purchase Order can effect property values. When assessing the level of compensation, regard is paid to the “no scheme world,” i.e., the effect of the CPO (both positive and negative) is ignored, and the value of the land/property to be taken is determined on the basis of open market value.
Disturbance compensation includes all costs reasonably associated with the CPO. The actual level of compensation will vary from claim to claim and is dependent upon the claimant’s specific circumstances. However, a claimant has a duty to mitigate his/her loss. Examples of items that are claimed under “disturbance” include removal costs and acquisition fees incurred in purchasing a relocation property (including Stamp Duty Land Tax), as well as business losses, see the attached list of potential claims.
Compensation payable would include the costs of relocating the business or extinguishing it. A business proprietor will normally be expected to mitigate their loss and seek to relocate his or her business. A business proprietor may seek the acquiring authority to acquire their business if, as a direct result of the CPO the business is not able to relocate. The burden of proof will be on the business owner, who will need to show that the business cannot practically be relocated to other premises, in order to succeed in a claim for extinguisment.
Under the ‘relocation’ basis, the owners of the businesses are able to claim the costs of relocation and any temporary losses. The ‘extinguishment’ basis assumes that the business is closed down and compensation is based on the value of the business.
A business owner will have to show that the property that is being acquired is so unique that the business cannot possibly carry on at alternative premises, or that the costs of relocating the business are greater than the value of the business, and that no prudent business owner would incur the costs of relocating the business, if these far exceeded the end value of the business.
Section 46 of the Land Compensation Act 1973 states that a business proprietor may seek a claim for extinguishment where the following criteria are met:
In these circumstances, the acquiring authority will acquire the business, but the claimant will be prohibited from re-opening a similar business.
Business owners and occupiers who meet the qualifications can claim a Basic Loss Payment. This payment is calculated at 7.5% of the value of an interest up to a maximum sum of £75,000. In addition, an “occupier,” whether they be an owner occupier or a business tenant (subject to qualification criteria), may also be entitled to an Occupier Loss Payment. The Occupier Loss Payment equates to an additional 2.5% of the value of the interest, or £25 per sq m of building taken (or £2.50 per sq m of land), subject to a minimum sum of £2,500 and a maximum payment of £25,000.
Professional representation is essential in maximising your entitlement. Roger Hannah have vast experience in maximising compulsory purchase order compensation on behalf of their business clients.