Village halls, church halls, scout huts etc and community centres
Source: gov.uk (2025-01-07)

This publication is intended for Valuation Officers. It may contain links to internal resources that are not available through this version.

1. Scope

The hereditaments to which this section refers comprise a number of property types including traditional village halls, purpose-built community centres and smaller huts used by the scouts and guides, army, air and sea cadets. The properties are commonly occupied by charitable organisations or local authorities and provide space and facilities for community services and activities.

Licensed premises are not included and care is needed to ensure that there is no confusion with Licensed Sports, Social and Private Members’ Clubs. Where premises are licensed and the dominant value lies within the club element, these should be valued in accordance with Rating Manual: Licensed sports, social and Private members’ clubs. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rating-manual-section-6-part-3-valuation-of-all-property-classes/section-260-clubs-and-institutes)

Children’s centres also do not form part of the class and further advice should be sought from the Class Co-ordination Team (CCT).

2. List Description and Special Category Code

Community centres

List Description: Community Centre and Premises SCat Code 067: Suffix G

Village halls, church halls, scout/guides/cadet huts etc.

List Description: Hall and Premises SCat Code 293: Suffix G

3. Responsible Teams

This is a generalist class and responsibility for valuation will lie with the appropriate business unit. Queries of a complex nature arising from the valuation of individual properties should be referred to the National Valuation Unit (NVU) Class Lead via the CCT.

4. Co-ordination

NVU Civic Team has overall responsibility for the co-ordination of this class. The CCT are responsible for the approach to and accuracy and consistency of valuations. The CCT will deliver Practice Notes describing the valuation basis for revaluation and provide advice as necessary during the life of the rating lists. Caseworkers have a responsibility to:
- follow the advice given at all times
- not depart from the guidance given on appeals or maintenance work without approval from the co-ordination team
- seek advice from the co-ordination team should any issues arise that are not covered in this instruction
5. Legal Framework

There is no specific legal framework for this class.

6. Survey Requirements

6.1 Method of Measurement

Village and church halls, scout etc. huts and community centres are valued using the rentals method and should be measured to Net Internal Area (NIA).

6.2 Description

The design, specification and size of properties within these classes varies from small temporary structures of wood and felt construction used by the scouts to traditional village halls and modern purpose-built community centres.

6.3 Requirements

a) Unit of Assessment

The principles referred to in Rating Manual Section 2 Part 2 - 2. Identification of the hereditament (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rating-manual-section-2-maintaining-the-rating-list/part-2-hereditaments-valued-by-the-central-valuation-officer) should be adhered to. In cases of difficulty, advice from the Technical Advisor/NVU specialist should be obtained. The normal approach should be applied to the identification of hereditaments and no attempt should be made to aggregate property which on normal rating principles constitutes more than one hereditament. More recently there has been a trend towards provision of integrated “one stop” community hubs incorporating a range of facilities, such as library, education and medical services and a police presence all within one building. In these circumstances, it is essential the rateable occupier of each part is ascertained, and the correct unit(s) of assessment identified.

b) Survey Detail

Hereditaments within these classes are grouped into seven categories, which are set out in the relevant Practice Note.

The following information details the survey data requirements:
- A plan (CAD) or otherwise should be obtained where available and check dimensions made on site as necessary; otherwise, a plan should be drawn up.
- Dimensions and description of the accommodation. Areas of adjoining accommodation that attract the same relativity factor, together with the adjoining passageways and lobbies should be shown as a single line entry.
- Method of construction - e.g. temporary, traditional/permanent brick and tile or steel framed including roof type e.g. flat or pitched.
- Age of all buildings/extensions.
- Presence of heating, sprinklers and lifts.
- Number of car parking spaces for staff and visitors- or/and parking area, the nature of the surface, and a note of the extent of site landscaping.
- Details of any external sport facilities, children’s play areas etc.
- The site area.
c) Exemptions

i. Church Halls

Under Para. 11 Sch. 5, LGFA 1988, exemption may be available for church halls where there is sufficient external invitation to the public and they are used as public places of worship, provided that they are certified as places of religious worship. For further guidance see Rating Manual: Section 2 Part 6 Exemptions – Part B: Places of Public Religious Worship (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rating-manual-section-2-maintaining-the-rating-list/part-6-exemptions-part-b-places-of-public-religious-worship). In cases of difficulty, advice from the Chief Valuer Group Technical Advisor should be obtained.

7. Survey Capture

Survey information including plans are to be stored on EDRM. Survey data, utilising appropriate Bulk Class Indicator (BCI) and sub location codes, should be captured within the Rating Support Application (RSA).

8. Valuation Approach

These classes of property are valued using the rental method. Rental evidence in these classes is often wide-ranging reflecting locality, size, age and quality. Valuation schemes should be formed upon the evidence available in the locality under consideration in every case. Please refer to the relevant practice note for further guidance.

Where new rental evidence has been identified, full details should be sought.

9. Valuation Support

Valuations are to be carried out on the Rating Support Application.