Question 1

Do I have to pay business rates on an empty property?

Accepted Answer

Yes, after the initial relief period. Most commercial properties receive three months of 100% empty rate relief. Industrial and warehouse properties receive six months. After this period, full business rates are payable unless a permanent exemption applies.

Question 2

Does empty property relief apply in Scotland and Wales?

Accepted Answer

Scotland and Wales operate their own business rates systems with different empty property rules. This guide covers England only. Contact your local authority or the relevant rating body for guidance specific to your location.

Question 3

How are empty property business rates calculated?

Accepted Answer

Empty rates are calculated in exactly the same way as occupied rates — rateable value multiplied by the relevant multiplier. There is no reduced multiplier for empty properties. The full standard or small business multiplier applies after the initial relief period expires.

Question 4

Can I avoid paying business rates on an empty property?

Accepted Answer

The permanent exemptions listed above are the only routes to ongoing exemption from empty rates. Token or short-term occupation of less than 13 continuous weeks will not reset the relief period. Artificial arrangements to avoid the empty rates liability can attract scrutiny from billing authorities.

Question 5

Who is responsible for paying business rates on an empty property?

Accepted Answer

The liability for empty property business rates falls on the property owner — the freeholder or, in some cases, a leaseholder who has taken on the property. This is different from occupied properties, where the occupier is normally responsible.

Question 6

Does a change of tenant reset the empty rate relief period?

Accepted Answer

Not automatically. A change of ownership or tenancy does not in itself restart the relief clock. The property must be genuinely and continuously occupied for at least 13 weeks before a fresh relief period begins.

Question 7

Are listed buildings exempt from empty business rates?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Listed buildings are permanently exempt from empty property business rates for as long as they remain unoccupied. The exemption applies regardless of how long the property has been empty.

Question 8

Can I claim empty property relief if the property is only partly vacant?

Accepted Answer

Local billing authorities have discretion to award relief on the unoccupied portion of a partly-occupied property in genuine transitional situations. This is not automatic and requires an application to your local council.

Frequently Asked Questions

Business Rates Eligibility Checker

Do I have to pay business rates on an empty property?

Does empty property relief apply in Scotland and Wales?

How are empty property business rates calculated?

Can I avoid paying business rates on an empty property?

Who is responsible for paying business rates on an empty property?

Does a change of tenant reset the empty rate relief period?

Are listed buildings exempt from empty business rates?

Can I claim empty property relief if the property is only partly vacant?

Ready to check your property?

The eligibility check is free and takes less than a minute.

This eligibility check provides guidance only. Final outcomes depend on property-specific evidence and specialist review.

Tools

Business Rates Eligibility Checker

Rateable Value Check

Backdated Refund Checker

Business Rates Property Dashboard

Guides

How Business Rates are Calculated

Business Rates Revaluation 2026

Is My Rateable Value Too High

Business Rates Reduction

Resources

How It Works

What Happens Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Legal

Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions

Affiliate Disclosure

Cookie Policy