Empty business properties

Properties that are empty and unoccupied are exempt from Business Rates for the first three months (six months for certain industrial properties). After this time empty property rates are payable. However, some properties are exempt from empty property rates.

Exempt properties include:

• those with a rateable value below £2,900 from 1 April 2017 (or below £2,600 up to 31 March 2017)
• a property held by a charity or community amateur sports club and is likely to be used for charitable purposes or for the purposes of the sports club
• listed buildings
• ancient monuments
• a property owned by a company in administration
• where the law does not allow the property to be occupied
• where the Crown or a local/public authority is taking action that prevents occupation
• the person entitled to occupation holds it only as the personal representative of a deceased person.

Apply for empty property Business Rate relief

If you think you may qualify for one of the above exemptions, contact us at businessrates@sholland.gov.uk or by call 01775 761161, selecting 'Business Rates'.

Business property not capable of occupation

If your property cannot be occupied because it is in poor condition and cannot be repaired at a reasonable cost, the Valuation Office Agency (opens new window) may take it out of the rating list altogether. However, if your property has been damaged for the purpose of avoiding rates, the Valuation Office Agency will make an assessment without taking this change into consideration.