Business Rates

Is your rateable value too high for your business premises?

Do you find it difficult having to pay business rates on vacant properties with no income?

Acme Developments has a proven track record of saving clients up to 85% of their empty property business rates.

Acme Developments offers specialist property consultancy services, providing business rates mitigation strategies through a range of short-term letting solutions. Since the government's curtailment of empty property rates relief in April 2008, unoccupied business premises are now a very expensive inconvenience, which landlords must contend with, especially during a period of recession.

In both England & Wales, from the date a commercial property becomes vacant, the Ratepayer/Landlord is typically liable to pay 100% Business Rates, once an initial void rates period is over. The void period, or empty rates holiday as it is also known, stands at 3 months, except in the case of industrial property, for which the period is 6 months.

As a result, commercial landlords & developers have been forced to implement mitigation strategies in order to minimise their existing losses and reduce their future liability.

Current legislation states that landlords are entitled to claim a further relief period after the property in question has been occupied for a minimum period of 6 weeks, and the tenant has then vacated the premises. (Note: It is essential that genuine and continuous occupation is demonstrated throughout this minimum 6 week occupation period).

Acme Developments offers its business rates mitigation strategies through a selection of short-term letting solutions. Our tenants are willing to enter into a 42 day lease and ensure that they occupy the premises for the full term, with minimal disturbance. We also have the ability to occupy our clients premises ourselves for the same 42 day period through the requirement of sufficient storage space throughout the UK for our company's own salvaged goods stock, which are on sale at that time of occupation. The property will then qualify for the 13 or 26 weeks empty property rates relief following this period.

We typically offer 6 week, 8 week, 12 week & 6 month Storage Solutions at our various locations throughout the UK, all of which comply fully with the current business rates legislation.

With each lease we ensure the following:

• A guarantee that the premises will be vacated within 48 hours upon formal request, meaning that all properties can continue to be marketed for sale/to let throughout.
• Occupation will be stringently monitored by Acme Developments, who will be responsible for the unlikely event of any damage caused to the property by the tenant. (Floor space will be covered with Corex Protective Sheeting wherever possible)
• Total Savings of up to 85% on Empty Rates Bill for Industrial Properties.
• Standard (deferred) fees of 20% of the actual Rates Savings generated by the 6 Months Rates Free Period (3 months Retail/Offices), subject to a minimum fee of £1000.