Commercial Property Data Solutions and Services
At Inform we don't stand still. Our commercial property product base is constantly changing to meet the needs of the industry, both in the public and private arena.
For more information contact our team on 0203 056 6890 or email sales@informcpi.com
Innovation as Standard
“Implementation was reasonably straightforward, and our requirements were demanding. Working alongside our colleagues in Finance, Inform have provided direct interfaces to our accounting system.”
Paul Crichton MRICS, Transport for London
Solutions for business
At Inform, we offer a range of flexible database and other software packages designed to put data at your fingertips, simplify processes and maximise opportunities.
Our flagship system, Analyse, is used by both private and public sector organisations, while our Desktop Surveyor suite brings a new dimension of rating information and functionality to all market sectors and incorporates our rates management system, BillPro3.
Inform's Analyse system is the most comprehensive rating database available. It contains more than 62 million records covering all of the UK, with information dating back as far as 1990.
Analyse offers users:
Whether searching for supporting data for challenges or appeals, or identifying new marketing opportunities, Analyse is the first choice of rating professionals. Call us now on 0203 056 6895 for a free demonstration.
“AnalysePro gives me confidence that all the information I need is just a click away. The system is easy to use, reliable and accurate, with intuitive search functions and reporting tools. It really is the number one choice for commercial property data”
BillPro3 is designed to convert an unmanageable paper chase into a functional and user-friendly system.
Our portfolio, liability management and account summaries make it simple to review your rates demands, while you can manage rates payments via our unique Instalments and Consolidation functions. You can produce payment files for your financial system or create BACS remittance documents to send to the billing authority – all at the touch of a button. Plus, our Reports module gives you key forecasting and management information, helping you to make long range plans.
River Lake specialises in the production of agency, landlord & tenant, management and rating software for the UK commercial property profession.
Our detailed knowledge of the commercial property sector and collaboration with major UK property owners and agents ensure that our range of River Lake products are ideally suited to your needs.
Rates
The Rates system incorporates a database of client, hereditament and rating authority information.
Business rates liability is calculated with the effects of material change, splits, mergers and reconstitutions all being handled. Liability projections for the Rating List can be calculated based on your estimates of inflation. The Rates system also integrates with Analyse, allowing easy import of hereditament records and rating list changes, saving time and improving accuracy.
The system allows proposals to be raised and submitted. Our CCA module includes direct links with the Valuation Office Agency, allowing claiming, case submission and updates to be done via the Rates system, including bulk submissions. The effects on liability of proposals are automatically calculated providing you with savings and refund estimates.
Rates and BIDS bills can be approved and payments made through the system with comprehensive funding, tracking and banking functions.
Manage
The Manage system incorporates a database of client, property and lease information.
The system provides full rental accounting with rent projections and demand generation. Adjustments to the rent at lease start, on vacate and following rent review are automatically implemented and demanded. Tenant arrears can be easily monitored, debts chased and interest on arrears calculated.
The service charge module allows both on account and in arrears collection of charges. Multiple reconciliation periods are provided producing tenant statements, balancing charges and an analysis of irrecoverable costs.
Full client accounting provides multiple statement formats with sophisticated client bank account controls.
Agency
The Agency system incorporates a database of client, occupier, property and applicant information.
Properties being marketed by other agents and other agents' client's requirements can be held. Requirements can be specified in terms of tenure, size, multiple locations and property types. Matching is automatic providing you with a pick list of properties, details of which can either be sent or emailed.
Detailed property particulars can be printed by the system including floor areas, features and digital photographs.
All interest shown in the property can be tracked from viewings and offers made through to the final deal.
Professional
The Professional system incorporates a database of client, occupier, property and lease information.
You can report on forthcoming lease events and generate letters to occupiers pitching for the business.
Jobs can be raised for any type of professional work. Job progress can be tracked and time spent on each stage recorded. Potential fees are calculated and invoices generated.
Specialised job screens for rent review and lease renewal track the key dates involved in these processes via an integral diary. Counter notices and letters to the landlord or tenant can automatically be produced.
“Since choosing River Lake in 2004 we have not looked back, and would have no hesitation in choosing the same system again today!”
Inform CPI is leading the way for systems and services for Local Government, designed to help meet the needs of rates retention and maximise non-domestic rates income. Our solution for billing authorities, Analyse LOCAL, has now been used by over 160 local councils across the UK.
Our RV Finder service and appeals estimation tools are helping to redefine how rating lists are managed. Coupled with our flagship Analyse database system and our new Localise reporting tool, along with the option for bespoke reports and data queries, Analyse LOCAL really is the complete package.
The product is so simple to use. The onsite training session was excellent and we were able to get going straight away.
The procurement of the product is a no brainer. We have already recovered the cost of the product in the first three months. This is an invaluable tool for the team”
Clive Jones, Income Manager, Luton BC
latest news
MPs' report warns 'up to 20,000' pubs could close if business rates not reformed
A report by a group of MPs has warned that up to 20,000 UK pubs could be at risk of closure if the government fails to reform the business rates system.
Ahead of the chancellor's spring statement on Wednesday (23 March), the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) said the current system was threatening the future of pubs while online businesses pay less tax. Its report found that the average pub pays 3% of its turnover on rates alone, with some paying up to 10%, while online retailer Amazon paid 2% tax on its 2020 turnover of almost £21b.
The group of MPs is calling for the introduction of an online sales tax and a new and specific rates multiplier for pubs, closer to the 1990s level of 32p per pound of rateable value. It is calling for greater transparency and Valuation Office Agency resources to support the current system of valuation for pubs.
See the full article at https://www.thecaterer.com/news/pubs-business-rates-report-mps
Tribunal showdown over estimated £3.5bn pandemic business rates rebates
Businesses facing hefty business rates bills are set for a court showdown over the Government’s decision to strip them of their right to appeal their property taxes in a series of major cases this week. The Valuation Tribunal, an independent judicial body, will hear a series of 26 test cases on May 18 from occupiers of non-domestic properties across the country over changes to the business rates system.
Around 170,000 businesses in England, across all sectors of the economy, sought to argue over the past year that the heavy impact of the pandemic on their operations means that their rateable value, which the property tax is based on, should be reduced. The Government initially allowed more than 55,000 of these businesses to proceed to make a formal challenge with the Valuation Office Agency, an executive agency of HM Customs & Revenue. This would have allowed firms to negotiate “in good faith” on potential reductions, amid an acceptance that working from home and social distancing measures were bona fide grounds to claim a rebate.
Real estate experts have estimated that these rebates could have been worth around £3.5 billion to UK businesses. But as these negotiations were nearing a conclusion in March last year, the Government announced that it would retrospectively legislate to try and stop these reductions.
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak said at the time it “could have led to significant amounts of taxpayer support” for businesses adversely affected, arguing that Covid-19 and the response to it was not an appropriate use of “material change in circumstances” tax rules.
https://www.itv.com/news/2022-05-15/tribunal-showdown-over-estimated-35bn-pandemic-business-rates-rebates
Business rates modernisation 'encouraging' but government needs to go further, firms say
Hospitality business owners have welcomed ministers' plans to update the business rates system, but have warned that newly-announced moves do not go far enough to help firms struggling with soaring costs and high tax burdens.
The Queen's Speech is always a chance for the government to outline key policy plans. An update to business rates was one of the takeaways for restaurants and bars from the 2022 speech, alongside the permanent scrapping of pavement licensing red tape.
It was announced that in the next Parliamentary session ministers are planning to push forward with a bill aimed at modernising the business rates system. The "Non-Domestic Rating Bill" intends to reform the system where business premises' rateable values will be reviewed every three years rather than every five years from 2023.
The government also reportedly hopes these business rates changes will stimulate investment into the decarbonisation of properties.
See the full article at https://www.thecaterer.com/news/business-rates-modernisation-encouraging-but-government-go-further
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