Empty Property
With effect from 1st April 2008 the Government has reformed empty property relief. Most property that has been empty for more than three months - or, in the case of industrial property, for more than six months -will no longer receive relief from rates.
After the initial three or six month rate-free period expires, empty property will be liable for 100% of the basic occupied business rate, unless it:
- Qualifies for the new zero rate provided by the Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007. From 1st April 2008, the rates liability of empty property that is held by a charity and appears likely to be next used for charitable purposes, or that is held by a community amateur sports club and appears likely to be next used for the purpose of the club, will be reduced from 10% of the basic occupied rate to zero. Companies in Administration will also be exempt from rates on their empty properties.
- Qualifies for an exemption from rates under the NNDR ( Unoccupied Property) Regulations. While the current permanent exemption for industrial property will be reduced to six months, the Government has preserved the majority of the other existing exemptions unchanged.
Organisations entitled to Relief
Charities are automatically entitled to an 80% reduction in their Rates bills. Authorities have discretion to reduce the bill further or to waive it altogether.
Authorities also have discretion to grant relief of up to 100% to certain non-profit making bodies. The purposes of the Organisation applying for the relief must be Philanthropic, or concerned with Education, Social Welfare, Science, literature or the Fine Arts.
Authorities also have discretion to grant relief of up to 100% to certain non-profit making bodies. The purposes of the Organisation applying for the relief must be Philanthropic, or concerned with Education, Social Welfare, Science, literature or the Fine Arts.
The Occupier of a General Store/Post Office, Public House or Petrol Station may also qualify for Rate relief if they are situated in a designated Rural settlement and they are the only such General Store/Post Office, Public House or Petrol Station in that settlement.
Authorities also have the discretion to remit all or part of the Rates charged, if the Business can prove that they are sustaining hardship and that the closure of their Business would have a detrimental effect on the Local Community.
Please contact the Billing Section on 024 7637 6534 to discuss any potential claim for hardship relief or for further details on any of the above.
