Empty rates on listed buildings can be a significant financial burden for property owners. Listed buildings are protected by law due to their historic and architectural significance, but this protection can come at a cost when the property is left empty. In this article, we will explore what empty rates listed buildings are and how property owners can navigate this issue.
Listed buildings are properties that are included on the National Heritage List for England. These buildings are deemed to be of special architectural or historic interest, and are protected from demolition or alteration without special permission. There are three categories of listed buildings: Grade I, Grade II*, and Grade II. Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest, Grade II* buildings are particularly important, and Grade II buildings are of special interest.
When a listed building is left empty, property owners may still be required to pay business rates on the property. This is known as empty rates, and can be a significant financial burden. In some cases, property owners may be exempt from paying empty rates on listed buildings, but this is not always guaranteed.
The government introduced a scheme in 2008 that provided relief for empty properties, including listed buildings. This scheme allowed property owners to claim relief on their empty property rates for a limited amount of time, usually up to three or six months. However, in 2017, the government introduced changes to the empty property rates relief scheme, which reduced the amount of relief available for listed buildings.
Property owners of Grade II listed buildings are no longer eligible for any relief from empty rates, while those of Grade I and Grade II* listed buildings now only receive a 100% relief for the first three months the property is empty, after which they must pay the full rates. This change has had a significant impact on property owners of listed buildings, who are now facing higher bills for their empty properties.
There are some exemptions to paying empty rates on listed buildings. For example, if the building is being used for charitable purposes, it may be exempt from paying business rates. Property owners can also claim relief if they are carrying out repairs or renovations on the property, or if the property is available for let. However, these exemptions are not guaranteed, and property owners must apply for them through their local council.
Navigating the rules and regulations surrounding empty rates on listed buildings can be complex and confusing for property owners. Seeking professional advice and guidance is essential in order to ensure that property owners are in compliance with the law and are not overpaying on their empty property rates.
Property owners of listed buildings should also consider ways to reduce the impact of empty rates on their finances. For example, they can explore the option of leasing the property to a business or organization, which would make the property eligible for business rates relief. They can also consider selling the property, which would alleviate the burden of empty rates.
empty rates listed buildings can be a challenging issue for property owners to navigate. The changes to the empty property rates relief scheme have made it more difficult for property owners of listed buildings to claim relief, resulting in higher bills for their empty properties. Property owners must be aware of the rules and regulations surrounding empty rates on listed buildings, and should seek professional advice to ensure that they are compliant with the law.