Business rates

[Misbegotten22]

If a business has not been trading for in excess of 5 years (restaurant) and the property was empty do we still have to pay business rates ? £10,000 has been charged annually for business rates which is a very large sum of money especially when we are struggling financially. The business owner passed away at the beginning of this year and have received a business rates bill up to August this year . Whe. Queries we were told by the council that the deceased is still liable until the date of transfer of the
property.

I would be very grateful for any advice in relation to

1. Are business rates payable on an empty property and if so should it be a reduced amount ?
2. Is the council correct in that the deceased is still liable until date of transfer .?

Many thanks

[Kati]

Re: Business rates

[MENTION=92682]lgfa92[/MENTION] ... can you answer this??

[jaguarsuk]

Re: Business rates

Empty rates are payable on a property if no part of the property is occupied and the property is not in an exempt class or the rateable value is not less than £2,600.

There is no liability for rates where a property has been continuously unoccupied for a period of three months after it ceases to be occupied or from the day that it is determined as its 'completion date' in respect of new properties. If after this three month period, the property is sub-divided or there is a new owner, there is not another 'free' period.

Industrial property receives a 6 month rate free period before empty rates are charged.

There are certain reliefs that can be claimed including Hardship, but you would need to see if you qualify with the council.

[Misbegotten22]

Re: Business rates

Hi thank you for your reply for clarification if the owner has passed away doesmthe liability cease with the death or are the rates payable until transfer to new owner ? If the owner has passed away who is responsible for paying the business rates until such time a new owner / transfer is made ? Does the liability end with the death ?