The primary definition of GRV under the Valuation of Land Act 1978 is as follows:

GRV means the gross annual rental that the land might reasonably be expected to realize if let on a tenancy from year to year upon condition that the landlord were liable for all rates, taxes and other charges thereon and the insurance and other outgoings necessary to maintain the value of the land.

A GRV is determined on the basis that the rental includes outgoings such as rates and other property expenses.

As most commercial rentals are negotiated net of outgoings these need to be added to the net rental to equate to the statutory definition.

The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has impacted on the determination of GRV. Where property rental payments are subject to GST, they represent a tax payable by the property owner and are included in the GRV.

Where an annual rental cannot reasonably be determined, the GRV becomes the assessed value. Assessed value is defined in the VLA as a percentage applying to the capital value of land within a particular class.

Residential land for which no rental value can be determined is valued on the basis of 3% of its total capital value from 1 July 2011. Assessed value for land designated for other uses is assessed on the basis of 5% of its total capital value.

Land used for residential purposes only must be valued on the basis of rental value. Any other land with a relatively low rental value in comparison to its capital value may be valued as if it were vacant land.

A database of rental evidence is assembled from information obtained from a variety of sources.

A schedule of properties rented at the date of valuation is prepared for the area to be valued.

The rented properties are inspected and the rents analysed (for example deductions for furniture included in the letting).

Unsuitable lettings, such as those between related parties, are discarded so that the final list is acceptable as the basis for the determination of fair gross rentals as illustrated by actual market dealings.

From the analysis of actual rentals the fair gross rental of each property is established, after making allowances for any special features or detriments.

The GRV normally represents the annual equivalent of a fair weekly rental. For instance a GRV of $15,600 represents a weekly rental of $300.

A new UV is determined each year for all land within the State and comes into force on 30 June. UV is defined in the Valuation of Land Act 1978 and in some cases it is a statutory formula. As a broad guide the following applies:

Within a Townsite

For land situated within a townsite the UV is the site value of the land. In general, this means the value of the land as if it were vacant with no improvements except merged improvements. Merged improvements relate to improvements such as clearing, draining and filling.

Outside a Townsite

The UV of land outside a townsite is valued as if it had no improvements. In this case the land is valued as though it remains in its original, natural state, although any land degradation is taken into account.

If the UV cannot reasonably be determined on this basis, it is calculated as a percentage of the value of the land as if it had been developed to a fair district standard but not including buildings. This percentage is prescribed (where it applies) by the Valuer General from year to year and is currently 50%.

Exceptions

There are certain exceptions to the above for which the Valuation of Land Act 1978 provides statutory valuation calculations for UV based on formula, for example a fixed rate per hectare or a multiple of the annual rent.

These exceptions include Mining Tenements, leases under the Land Administration Act 1997 for the purpose of grazing, leases under agreement acts, and land held under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984.

Strata Titles

Section 62(1) of the Strata Titles Act 1985 provides that for UV the Valuer General must value the whole of the land subject to a strata plan as a single parcel in single ownership. The rating and taxing authority is required to apportion the value in proportion to the unit entitlement, which is shown on the registered strata plan.

Section 62A(2) of the Strata Titles Act 1985 provides that each lot in a survey-strata scheme shall be valued as a separate parcel of land.

Market based UVs are determined by reference to the land market at the date of valuation. All sales relevant to the predetermined date of valuation are investigated and where considered necessary, the parties interviewed.

Unsuitable sales, for example sales between related parties or those with special circumstances are discarded. By this process fair and reasonable criteria is established for the fixing of values.