Business rate relief

You do not have to pay business rates on your empty property for the first three months. The relief starts from when the property becomes empty. After this time, most businesses must pay full business rates.

Industrial buildings (for example warehouses) are exempt for a further three month period. 

Properties which do not need to pay

Some properties do not need to pay business rates indefinitely if left empty. These include situations where:

• the property has a rateable value less than £2,900
• the owner is legally not allowed to occupy the property
• the property is held by a charity and will be used for charitable purposes when next occupied
• the property is held by a local amateur sports club and will be used for this purpose when next occupied
• the property is kept empty due to action taken by or on behalf of the Crown or any local or public authority
• the property is a listed building 

Partly-occupied properties

Where a property is partly occupied for a short time, we have discretion to award relief in respect of the unoccupied part. Get in touch with us to find out more.

Apply for relief

To apply for empty property relief, contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.