Empty property rates relief

From 1 April 2025 the council has approved a new Empty Property Rates Relief Scheme.

If your property (industrial or non-industrial) is empty you may be eligible for 50% empty property rates relief for the first 3 months, thereafter, no rates relief will be applicable and you will be charged the full rates charge.

The following categories of empty property may be eligible for 100% empty property rates relief for the first 6 months, thereafter, no rates relief will be applicable and you will be charged the full rates for the property:

• Properties with a rateable value of less than £1,700.
•  Listed buildings.
• Properties where there are no buildings on the land.
• Properties where the ratepayer is subject to insolvency action, including winding up, administration, trustee under a trust deed or sequestration and liquidator.
• Property where the ratepayer is deceased.

An empty property that subsequently becomes occupied will not be eligible for further empty property rates unless the period of occupation is for at least 6 months. The person or company entitled to use the property will have to pay the charges.

Empty property rates relief will only be awarded for the year in which the application for relief is received and we may arrange to visit the property before we award any relief.

You can apply for empty rates relief here.