Insights Rates Relief and COVID-19

As the spread of Covid-19 continues, the Government has now confirmed that it is supporting retail, restaurants, public houses, leisure and hospitality businesses with 100% rate relief from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021.

Currently offices and warehouse /industrial premises are excluded.

However, many expert surveyors are recommending that commercial tenants of office space apply for 100% rate relief if they have been forced to close down offices or warehouse/industrial premises ‘because of the Coronavirus’ from the date staff ceased operating from the premises.

Any such application for empty rate relief should specifically state ‘…due to the effects of the Coronavirus.’

Whilst there is no guarantee that this application will be successful, surveyors are confident that there is a good argument in spite of equipment and belongings that have been left at the premises.

Expertise