A major test case concerning empty rates has just been decided at the High Court, in favour of the ratepayer.
The case centred on a commonly used method for avoiding empty rates. Provided the local authority involved, backed no doubt by The Department of Communities and Local Government, does not successfully appeal the judgement, it should make implementing this mitigtion strategy far easier to administer in the future.
Tenant Advisory Group can advise any ratepayer facing an empty rates bill, on the implications of the case and how the judgement might allow them to minimise their rates liability. We should however, like to caution anyone who is thinking of applying the judgement, that achieving success will still require expert management.
TAG’s rating specialist, Michael Blank, can advise ratepayers on the future reliability of the method as The Department for Communities and Local Government and the local authority concerned, are believed to be planning an appeal.