Fresh Start Relief

Under Fresh Start relief, businesses occupying long-term empty properties may be entitled to a 100% business rates discount for their first year in those premises.

Eligibility criteria includes;

  • You started occupying the property on or after 1st April 2018 and the property had previously been empty for at least six months
  • When last occupied, the property was used as a shop or office (pubs, restaurants and hotels included since 1st April 2014)
  • The property has a rateable value under £65,000

You will not be eligible for this relief if;

  • The property was occupied for less than 6 weeks during the preceding 12 months
  • You are in receipt of certain other forms of relief such as Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS)
  • You are in breach of the State aid de minimis limit – no more than £175,000 over a rolling three-year period

Please note that under certain circumstances, you may be entitled to more than one type of relief. These include the following;

To discuss any of these relief opportunities in further detail, or for assistance in applying, please contact our Rating team direct via Rating2017@g-s.co.uk.