Partly Occupied Properties
Section 44a of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 enables the Council to grant relief on business premises that are partly occupied, as long as it is for a short time only.
No claims for backdated relief will be considered as we must be able to confirm the state of the premises at the time of a visit.
This is a discretionary power, and we must be satisfied that the premises is part occupied before requesting a certificate of apportionment from the Valuation Office Agency, which determines the rateable value for both the occupied and unoccupied parts of the premises.
In order to apply for the relief, you must put a request in writing to revenues@ruscliffe.gov.uk including:
- The billing number, name of the ratepayer and premises address.
- A plan of the premises that clearly marks the areas that are occupied and unoccupied.
- The period of the claim.
- A plan to show how it is intended to bring the unoccupied part back into use and within what timescales.
A visit will then be arranged to view the premises and confirm the details of the plan. If the relief is agreed, then a request will be sent to the Valuation Office Agency for a certificate. Once this is received and processed, an amended bill will be sent to you reflecting the relief granted.
The relief will normally end at the expiry the short period, depending upon the circumstances of the case, or at the end of the financial year if that is sooner. The relief follows similar rules as for empty properties and therefore typically would not exceed three months.
You must ensure that you continue to pay your business rates as billed while any application for relief is considered
If you have any queries please contact Revenues Services on 0115 981 9111 or by email to revenues@rushcliffe.gov.uk.