Case Study: Ladbroke Grove
A former school in Ladbroke Grove
RATE SAVING STRATEGY: Guardian Occupation
REDUCTION ACHIEVED: 80%
RATES SAVED: £91,000pa
-
In early 2024, a client appointed our sister company LOWE to manage a vacant former school in the heart of Ladbroke Grove. While the property offered strong potential, it came with a number of compliance challenges that initially made it unsuitable for immediate guardianship. After a detailed inspection and an extensive fit-out by LOWE’s in-house team, the building was brought up to standard and successfully filled with 29 carefully vetted property guardians.
Once the property was fully occupied and secure, the client was keen to explore ways to reduce their business rates liability — and that’s where Inver stepped in.
At Inver, we work alongside LOWE to offer specialist rates mitigation strategies that unlock additional value for property owners. In this case, once occupation was in place, we led the mitigation process by submitting the necessary evidence to demonstrate the building’s new use and supporting it with a robust case for a revised Rateable Value.
Six months later, we secured a successful outcome at the Check stage — achieving an 80% reduction in the Rateable Value, from which the client gained £91,000 in annual savings. That’s in addition to the substantial cost reduction already delivered through guardianship, where traditional security services often exceed £100,000 per year.
This dual approach — securing the building through guardianship and optimising the property’s rating liability — not only delivered meaningful financial savings but also supported social impact. The building now provides safe, affordable accommodation at around 65% of market rent for key workers and young professionals.
The outcome at Ladbroke Grove is especially encouraging in light of recent developments following the final Ludgate House decision. It demonstrates that rates mitigation remains both viable and valuable when approached with care, compliance, and credibility.
At Inver, we’re proud to be at the forefront of responsible rates mitigation — helping property owners reduce costs, minimise risk, and deliver real social value.
