Changes aimed to cut empty properties

2:51pm Sunday 3rd February 2008

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CHANGES to business rates mean that properties that have been empty for three months or more will be no longer be eligible for a 50% discount.

From April 1, the Government is removing the current empty property relief from business rates.

Industrial and warehouse properties will also be subject to the full rate if they have been empty for six months or more.

North Wiltshire District Council is writing to all known owners of properties affected by this change, to ensure that the correct billing details are held.

The changes are aimed at providing an incentive to bring empty properties back into use, helping to increase the supply of premises to let and reduce business rents.

It is hoped to also bring forward brownfield sites for re-development and reduce the need for new development on environmentally valuable greenfield land.

Cllr Allison Bucknell, lead member for resources at North Wiltshire District Council, said: "While nobody likes to see premises sitting empty, the majority of landlords do not keep them vacant for fun, so this is a double-edged sword.

The council acts as a collection agency for national non-domestic rates, and any additional money collected will go straight into the Government's coffers."