Empty/vacant properties

There are two common vacant exemptions for business rates:

• Industrial premises and some warehouses qualify for a six month void exemption.
• All other hereditaments and properties which do not fall in the industrial category qualify for a three month exemption.

If the property remains vacant once the exemption has run out a full charge will be payable. These are both property based exemptions, once they have run their course they cannot be awarded again until the property has been occupied for a period. If you take on a vacant unit, you may not qualify for any vacant exemption if it has already been used up by the previous ratepayer.