Unoccupied Properties

You do not have to pay business rates on empty buildings for 3 months. After this time most businesses must pay full business rates.

Some categories of unoccupied property can get extended empty property relief:

  • industrial buildings are exempt for a further 3 months
  • Listed buildings
  • Buildings with a rateable value under £2,900
  • Properties owned by charities – only if the property’s next use will be mostly for charitable purposes
  • Community amateur sports club buildings – only if the next use will be mostly as a sports club
  • Prohibited by law
  • Vacant due to action taken on behalf of the Crown
  • Ancient monuments
  • Owner entitled to possession only in his capacity as personal representative of a deceased person
  • Where the ratepayer is subject to insolvency

How do I apply?

Contact us at BR@gloucester.gov.uk. You must include the Business Rate account reference number in your email to us and the word reference in the subject of your email. For example 'Reference [Your Business Rate number]'