Worthing Borough Council

Empty rates

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revsbens@worthing.gov.uk

Empty Rate charges from 1 April 2011

For the year commencing 1 April 2011, the following categories of properties are exempt from paying empty rates:

• Small businesses with a rateable value of less than £2,600
• Certain industrial properties are exempt from empty rates for a maximum period of six months. Such properties include those that are used for the manufacture, repair or adaptation of goods or materials, storage, processing or working of minerals or the generation of electricity. Retail outlets are not exempt
• Where an unoccupied property is prohibited by law from occupation, no empty rates are payable. This situation may arise where a Council has taken legal steps to prevent occupation as a risk to health or safety. Similarly, properties kept vacant by the actions of the Crown or local or public authority with a view to prohibiting occupation or acquiring it
• Listed buildings are exempt provided that they are included in a list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest or subject to a building preservation notice under the terms of the Town & Country Planning Act 1971 and the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• Personal Representatives of deceased persons are exempt, together with insolvency and debt administration agencies entitled to possession only in their respective representative capacities
• Ancient Monuments that are included in the schedule of monuments compiled under Section 1 to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979

Three months after a property becomes empty, 100% of the charge becomes payable unless the property is in an exempt class.  If, after this three month period, the property is sub-divided or there is a new owner, there is not another ‘free’ period.

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