Empty property business rates relief

Who can apply

If your business property is empty or partly occupied, you can apply for business rate relief. 

The relief is valid for a maximum of 3 months, or 6 months for an industrial property. 

If the property is empty after that, we’ll charge 100% of the basic occupied business rates. 

As the owner or person entitled to possession of a property, you're responsible for the payment of business rates. 

You must let us know if you're no longer responsible for a property. 

Exceptions

There are certain exceptions if the: 

• property has a rateable value of less than £2,600
• property is a listed building
• owner is prohibited by law from occupying the property
• owner is prohibited by action taken by the Crown, or any other local or public authority from occupying the premises
• owner is entitled to possession only in their capacity as the personal representative of a deceased person
• owner or occupier is a company in administration
• owner or occupier has been declared bankrupt
• owner is a company subject to a winding-up order made under the Insolvency Act 1986
• owner is entitled to possession of the property in their capacity as liquidator under Section 112 or Section 145 of the Insolvency Act 1986 

If the property is partly occupied 

If the property is partly occupied, you may be entitled to rate relief in certain circumstances. 

How to apply

Download and complete our part occupied or unoccupied rate relief form:

While we process your application, you need to continue paying your current rates. 

After you've applied

When we receive your application, we'll arrange for an inspector to visit your property. 

If you're entitled, we'll calculate your relief and send you a revised bill showing your entitlement.