Corporate Commercial Surveyors

Corporate Commercial Surveyors: business rates claims in the United Kingdom

Corporate Commercial Surveyors (CCS) is a British consultancy firm focused on reviewing and claiming back business rates. The company works with owners and occupiers of commercial premises who believe their rateable value or tax assessment does not reflect reality, and it handles auditing the case, carrying out the valuation and processing the claim with the relevant authorities.

Its presentation states that one in two businesses in the country overpays this tax, and it offers a free initial assessment to determine whether there is scope for a claim. According to the figures it publishes, it has handled claims for more than 10,000 businesses and has secured more than £250 million in refunds for its clients.

Working process and handling of each case

The service is structured in four stages. It begins with a free assessment in which a specialist reviews the business and property details and provides a rough estimate of the possible overpayment. The case then goes to the survey department, which checks that it meets the criteria for submission to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and verifies that the rateable value is correct and fair. A full survey of the property is then carried out and a valuation is issued to determine whether the client has overpaid or is, on the contrary, exempt. The final stage consists of processing the refund of previous payments with the local authority.

The company states that each claim has a dedicated case manager who supports the client throughout the process, and that the average resolution time is around 15 days, although this depends on the relevant local authority. The team is made up of 33 professionals specialising in valuation.

Complementary services and monitoring programme

In addition to one-off claims, CCS offers a retention programme through which it continues to monitor the client's tax situation in order to detect possible future overpayments or exemptions. The firm notes that, depending on the circumstances and the time of submission, up to 36 months of overpayments can be claimed or mitigated. The initial check is free of charge; a service fee is only applied when the claim is processed or ongoing monitoring is taken out.

The company also makes available to interested parties a free business rates calculator that allows the rateable value of a property to be compared with that of similar properties in the same area, in order to detect differences with neighbours.

Sectors and types of property served

The firm states that it works with a wide variety of commercial properties, from small premises to complex cases with multiple sites. Among the sectors it mentions are:

• Retail & Consumer: retail stores, hairdressers and barbers, car dealerships, takeaways and restaurants, pubs and bars, bakeries and coffee shops.
• Industrial & Manufacturing: factories, FMCG, oil and gas sites and workshops.
• Professional Services: corporate offices, call centres and co-working spaces.
• Logistics & Warehouses: distribution centres, storage facilities and transport depots.
• Hospitality & Leisure: hotels and B&Bs, cinemas and theatres, sports clubs and golf clubs.
• Healthcare (Private Sector): private hospitals and offices, dental practices, funeral homes, cosmetic clinics, care homes and hospices, and veterinary practices.
• Education (Private Sector): private and independent schools, training centres and nurseries.
• Trades & Garages: garages and MOT centres, builders' yards and plant hire.
• Other commercial properties not included in the above categories.

Coverage and activity data

The company states that it provides services in England and Wales. Its head office is in Bristol, at Henleaze House, and it has a contact telephone number and email address. Its website also refers to the publication of the 2026 draft rating list, a document that affects the rateable values of properties and which the firm uses as a basis for reviewing its clients' situation.

Among the testimonials it includes, several clients mention specific reductions in their rates, such as a £18,000 reduction, and highlight the speed and support provided during the process. The firm also notes that, since mid-2025, it has strengthened its customer service with a more transparent process and a manager assigned to each case.

Location and contact

Henleaze House Harbury Road Bristol BS9 4PN · Email: enquiries@corporatecommercialsurveyors.co.uk