Owning an empty building is unnecessarily expensive.
If your commercial property is sitting vacant, you could be paying thousands in business rates for no return. And that’s before you even factor in the risk of damage, break-ins, and all the other costs that come with a vacant building.
The good news is that you don’t have to just sit back and accept those costs. There are smart, legal, and surprisingly simple ways to avoid business rates on an empty property.
Understanding Empty Property Business Rates
In the UK, if your commercial property is unoccupied, you typically get a three-month grace period where no business rates are due. After that, the charges kick back in at full force.
Unless your property qualifies for specific exemptions, like being a listed building or having a very low rateable value (under £2,900), you’ll be footing the bill until the building is reoccupied.
Empty business rates are one of the most frustrating costs for property owners. You’re essentially being charged for a building that isn’t being used.
When you’re already dealing with the stress of finding a new tenant, starting a renovation, or navigating planning permission, paying empty property business rates is the last thing you want on top of it all.
Eliminate Business Rates on Empty Property With Guardianship
One of the most effective ways to cut these costs is through property guardianship.
By placing live-in guardians in your property, you change the building’s status from empty commercial to residential. This happens without formally changing its use.
This shift will prevent you from being responsible for business rates altogether. Instead, you pay council tax, which is significantly cheaper.
One of the best parts of property guardianship is that it’s so quick and easy to implement. All you need to do is partner with a service provider like City Guardians, who will find vetted professionals and key workers to live in your empty building temporarily.
Doing so keeps the building secure, active, and lived-in. Your property stays safe and well-maintained. Importantly, it also stays off the local authority’s radar for business rates.
This model is a fully legal, council-friendly way to cut costs and improve security on your empty property at the same time.
Combining Guardianship with Charitable Occupation
If you want to take your savings a step further, you can consider charitable occupation.
This is when charitable partners temporarily occupy your building, either alongside guardianship or independently, depending on the structure and size.
If your building is used for charitable purposes, even just partially, it could qualify for up to 100% relief on business rates.
When done properly, combining property guardianship with charitable use gives you the best of both worlds. You’re cutting costs, supporting the community, and protecting your property from risk.
Is Property Guardianship Worth the Effort?
An empty commercial property with a moderate rateable value could easily rack up £20,000 to £50,000 per year in business rates. That’s a huge loss if your building isn’t generating any income.
Add to that the risks of vandalism, squatting, and general wear-and-tear, and you’re looking at a very expensive liability.
Now imagine turning that same space into a temporary home for trusted key workers or a local charity.
Doing so saves money on business rates, protects your asset, and helps give back to the community. It’s a win-win solution, and it’s easy to implement with the right partner.
Avoid Business Rates on Empty Property
If you own a vacant property, don’t just sit and let the costs stack up. Instead, reach out to City Guardians and discover how we can help you avoid business rates on your empty property while turning it into something useful, protected, and positive for the community.
Our guardians are reliable, fully vetted, and backed by our responsive team. They monitor the building, report any issues quickly, and allow access for contractors or surveys as needed. It’s flexible, fast, and far more effective than paying for static security or leaving the place empty and vulnerable.
We’ve helped countless clients avoid business rates on their empty properties while making sure their buildings stay secure, compliant, and cared for.
Get in touch with our team to secure your property.
