Flintshire County Council

Business Rates - What are the charges on empty properties?

In line with recent announcements by the Welsh assembly and UK government, the temporary measures will come to an end on the 31^st March 2011. This means that from April 2011, if your property has already received the three or six month exemption period (three months for non industrial properties and six month for industrial properties) and the rateable value is £2,600 or more, you will be required to pay Business Rates at the full rate if the property remains empty and unoccupied.

We won’t charge empty property rates on the following properties:

• If the property has been empty for less than three months or six months for factories and warehouses.

• A property with a rateable value of less than £2,600. 

• Where the owner is entitled to possession of the property only in the capacity as the personal representative of a deceased person.

• Where the owner is a liquidator or a trustee under a deed of arrangement or the owner is subject to a bankruptcy order, or as a company is subject to winding up order or an administration order.

• Where the property is a listed buildings or where it is the subject of a building preservation notice or it is scheduled as an ancient monument

• Where a property is kept empty due to action taken by or on behalf of the Crown or any local or public authority with a view to prohibiting occupation or to acquiring it.

• Where occupation is prohibited by law.

• Unoccupied properties owned and likely to be next occupied by charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs.

How to apply

If you think that you may qualify for one of the above empty property exemptions, please contact the Business Rates Team.