Empty or Vacant properties will not be expected to pay business rates for a period of three months after they become empty. For certain industrial properties this period of exemption may be extended to six months. After this, the property owner is responsible for ensuring their property tax is accurate and the sum paid.

​The property owner is liable to pay empty property tax until the building becomes occupied. At which point, the liability is transferred to the occupant.  Rateable occupation is defined as actual, of benefit, exclusive and for a period which is not insignificant.
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Thanks to the recent Empty Rates legislation, introduced to England in 2008 and Wales and 2013 in Scotland, companies can lawfully engage in business rates mitigation strategies.  Over the past few years, we have secured substantial savings through empty property rates relief. Our rates mitigation experts have helped property owners, occupiers, developers and landlords by successfully challenging the Valuation Office Agency and local authorities.

Call us on 0117 3700624 or email us on [email protected] to find out more about our Empty Rates Mitigation Service.