Unoccupied properties business rates relief
There are 2 types of property occupancy relief.
Unoccupied property rating
You don't have to pay business rates for the first 3 months that a property is empty. For certain industrial property this period extends to 6 months.
After that, most empty property will be liable for 100% of the basic occupied business rate. If the 3 or 6 month empty period has already been granted, you will have to pay full business rates.
Exempt properties
Some unoccupied properties remain exempt from paying business rates even after the 3 or 6 month period expires. These include:
- properties with a rateable value of less than £2,899 from 1 April 2017
- listed buildings
- properties where occupation is prohibited by law
- properties where the owner is bankrupt or the company is subject to a winding up order or is in administration
Charities
There are special rules for properties used by a charity. For more details contact the Business Rates team.
Partly occupied property relief
You have to pay the full business rate if a property is wholly or only partly occupied. Where a property is partly occupied for a short time, we have discretion to award relief in respect of the unoccupied part. For more details contact the Business Rates team.
Contact the Business Rates team
Telephone: 020 8726 7000, option 4.
Email: croynndr@croydon.gov.uk
Business Rates team
Croydon Council
5th floor, Bernard Weatherill House
8 Mint Walk
Croydon CR0 1EA