Industrial / Warehouse · Midlands
Distribution company with vacant warehouse eliminates twelve months of empty rates liability
A logistics business had a 35,000 sq ft warehouse that became vacant following the departure of a subtenant. With empty rates liability accruing at over £7,500 per month, they needed a swift and legally compliant strategy while they sought a new occupier.
We structured a short-term occupation arrangement that legitimately reset the empty rates clock, and advised on the most appropriate relief applications available given the property's circumstances. The combination eliminated liability for twelve months, generating a total saving of £45,500 with no upfront cost to the client.
12 months
Liability eliminated
£45,500
Total saving achieved
£0
Upfront cost to client
Retail Portfolio · Nationwide
Large retailer with vacant tertiary stock achieves savings through portfolio-wide relief review
A large retailer, through agent introduction, approached us after their rates bills increased significantly following a revaluation. They held a large number of vacant tertiary retail units across the UK and asked us to assess what could be achieved across the portfolio.
We conducted a full review of the rates liability across all vacant units and identified a range of opportunities: several properties qualified for transitional relief that had not been applied; others were eligible for outstanding empty property relief; and for a further group we were able to implement short-term occupation arrangements. The combined programme delivered a sizeable saving for the retailer, including refunds in respect of prior years — all secured with no upfront cost.
Multiple
Relief types secured
UK-wide
Portfolio coverage
Prior years
Refunds recovered
City of London Office Building
Arts charity secures gallery and workspace as landlord avoids substantial rates liability during planning wait
A landlord held a former office building in the City of London with a sizeable rates liability. A planning application had been submitted to redevelop the property, but approval was expected to take approximately two years. Rather than leave the building vacant — with the dual concern of mounting rates costs and security risk — the landlord sought a suitable occupier for the interim period.
Third Sector Space identified an arts-based charity with a specific requirement for gallery and workspace. The building was identified as an outstanding opportunity: well-located, immediately available, and at a cost the charity could afford. We prepared all the necessary documentation, and an 18-month lease was agreed at no cost to the charity. The landlord avoided a high six-figure sum in rates liability over the period, and the building remained occupied, secure, and purposefully used throughout. From initial site identification to the charity taking occupation took just four weeks.
4 weeks
Site to occupation
City Office Building · RV over £1m
Phased charity occupation fills vacant space as tenants vacate, protecting landlord throughout planning process
Through an agent introduction, we were instructed on a sizeable office building with a rateable value in excess of £1 million. The building was part let and part vacant, with the existing tenants holding leases that would expire over the following two and a half years. A planning application for a change of use had been submitted, but the landlord needed to manage rates liability across the whole building in the interim.
Third Sector Space secured a charity to take all of the immediately vacant space within five weeks. As each remaining tenant vacated over the following period, we progressively placed further charities into those spaces, ensuring the building remained occupied — and the landlord's rates liability remained managed — throughout. By the time planning was secured, the building had been continuously and purposefully occupied. The landlord saved a medium six-figure sum over the period.
5 weeks
First charity placed
Phased
Full building filled
