EMPTY BUSINESS PROPERTY RATES

That this House notes the Government's empty property rate relief is causing some perfectly good properties to be destroyed or let at a peppercorn rent to reduce the rate burden for the owner; further notes that empty property rate relief is a tool which can be used to reduce attrition in the property market during times of economic difficulty and prepare the market for economic upturn; welcomes the introduction of rate relief for properties with a rateable value of up to £15,000 but is concerned that £15,000 is insufficient; and urges the Government to increase the threshold at which an empty property becomes liable for business rates.