Vacant property rates create a significant cost burden on landlords – exactly when the property is
not generating any revenue. This cost can divert budget away from other essential expenditure such
as security, insurance and maintenance.
Secure Empty Property work with specialist partners to deliver a proven empty property rates
mitigation and reduction services which has been proven with over 300 properties, accepted by over
70 councils and has a 100% track record of legal successes. Our service offers the best savings to the
landlord with minimal disruption and is suitable for all retail, commercial, office or industrial units.
Typical cost saving comparison after all fees of alternative empty property rates relief techniques
can be summarised:
Assume Annual Rates payable: £61,440
| 12 weeks | Saving | 52 weeks | Saving | ||
| 1 | Full rates | £14,140 | £61,272 | ||
| 2 | Intermediate occupation | £10,142 | 28% | £30,425 | 50% |
| 3 | Charity occupation & Hubs | £5,617 | 60% | £22,058 | 64% |
| 4 | Charity exhibition | £5,617 | 60% | £16,851 | 72% |
| 5 | Members Voluntary Liquidation | £4,242 | 30% | £18,361 | 30% |
| 6 | Secure Empty Property solution | £2,828 | 80% | £12,254 | 80% |
It is important to consider the implications to the property of each alternative – disruption, access, problems marketing the site, management time etc. We can summarise these issues below.
Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements free of charge and without commitment.
| SUMMARY OF BENEFITS | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
| 1. Intermediate occupation | Small cost savings | Paperwork every 6 months Pay 6-week full rates each period Disruption & access required |
| 2. Charity occupation | Significant cost saving | Footfall in property Inflexible as 3rd party lease required Payment to charity |
| 3. Charity exhibition | Significant cost saving Reduces 6-week rate period |
Intermittent or constant occupation Disruption & access required Site H&S and utilities required |
| 4. Guardians | Low cost to landlord | Requires a change of use Cost to make habitable and revert Inflexible for short-term voids Separate Insurance required Footfall in property |
| 5. Members Voluntary Liquidation | Significant cost saving No occupancy requirements |
Bureaucratic setup procedure Only applicable to large premises Start-up date often ill-defined |
| 6. Secure Empty Property solution | Greatest cost saving Effective England & Wales |
Footfall in property only 2-3 days PA Site H&S and utilities not necessary |
