Unoccupied properties
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‘Five Council’ Proposal Public Consultation
‘Five Council’ Proposal Public Consultation
Have your say on the future of councils in Essex. Councils across Greater Essex are seeking public input on plans to replace the current Local Authority structure with fewer, larger unitary councils.
Unoccupied properties
You don’t have to pay business rates on empty buildings for 3 months. After this time, most businesses must pay full business rates.
Some properties can get extended empty property relief:
- Industrial premises (for example warehouses) are exempt for a further 3 months
- Listed buildings – until they’re reoccupied
- Buildings with a rateable value under £2,900 – until they’re reoccupied
- Properties owned by charities – only if the property’s next use will be mostly for charitable purposes
- Community amateur sports clubs buildings – only if the next use will be mostly as a sports club
If your property is not capable of beneficial occupation – for instance, if it is in poor condition and cannot be economically repaired – the Valuation Office may judge it should be taken out of rating altogether.
The quickest and easiest way to find the rateable value of any non-domestic property in England is on the Valuation Office Agency website.