Exempt properties
Some business properties are exempt from non-domestic rates. These include some properties which are occupied and most empty properties. There are several classes of exemption, some of which only apply for a specified length of time
Business Rates exemptions on unoccupied properties
- It has been empty for a continuous period of up to three months
- It is an industrial property and has been empty for a continuous period of up to six months
- Where occupation is prohibited by law or action has been taken by the Crown or any local or public authority
- A listed building – subject to a preservation notice under Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
- An ancient monument (as scheduled under s.1 to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979)
- Has a rateable value of less than £2,900 from 1 April 2017
- Where the owner is entitled to possession only in their capacity of the personal representative of a deceased person
- Where the owner is subject to a bankruptcy order or winding-up order under the Insolvency Act 1986
- Where the owner is entitled to possession only in his capacity as a trustee under the deed of arrangement to which the Deeds of Arrangement Act 1914 applies
- Where the owner is a company subject to a bankruptcy order or winding-up order under the Insolvency Act 1986 or is being wound up voluntarily under that Act
- Where the owner is a company in administration within the meaning of paragraph 1 of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986 or is subject to an administration order made under the former administration provisions within the meaning of article 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2003
- where the owner is entitled to possession of the hereditament in his capacity as liquidator by virtue of an order made under section 112 or section 145 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
Business Rates exemptions on occupied properties:
- Agricultural land and buildings (e.g. arable, meadow or pasture ground; buildings used in connection with agricultural operations on the land and with the keeping and breeding of livestock)
- Fish Farms
- Fishing rights (where these are exercisable in a fishery which is regulated by specified legislation)
- Places of religious worship, where these belong to the Church of England or the Church in Wales. For other religions, the property concerned must be certified under the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855. This exemption includes church halls and similar buildings provided they are used in connection with a place of public religious worship
- Trinity House property (e.g. lighthouses; buoys and beacons)
- Sewers and accessories (e.g. drains; sewers; manholes; ventilating shafts and pumps. The exemption does not apply to sewage farms or sewage disposal works)
- Property of Drainage Authorities (e.g. structures used for controlling or regulating the flow of water into or out of a watercourse on a main river)
- Parks (provided they are under the management of a relevant authority and are available for free and unrestricted use by members of the public)
- Property used for the disabled (e.g. properties providing facilities for the welfare and training of disabled persons)
- Air raid protection works (e.g. air raid shelters)
- Swinging Moorings (i.e. a buoy attached to an anchor which rests underwater)
- Road crossings over watercourses (e.g. bridges, viaducts or tunnels constructed to allow river crossings)
- Property in Enterprise Zones
The above classes are stated in broad terms. Within each of the classes, a number of conditions may need to be met before the exemption is satisfied
If you require any further information, please contact our business rates team.
Contacting Business Rates
Please note that calls from a mobile made to the number below will incur an additional charge from your service provider of up to 7p per minute. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. The council is currently working on providing an alternative number that charges at a local call rate.
Contact us - Business Rates
0845 300 5562
(Text phone users add 18001 before dialing)
South Oxfordshire District Council
PO Box 162
Erith
DA8 9DS
