Apply for Empty Business Rates Relief

Some properties are eligible for discounts on their business rates. This is called ‘business rates relief’. 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 (eg warehouses) are exempt for a further 3 months
  • listed buildings - until they’re reoccupied
  • buildings with a rateable value under £2,600 - 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

This form usually takes about 5 minutes to complete. Please note that after 60 minutes of inactivity the form will time out and any information you have entered will be lost.