Legal Updates

Empty property petition launched

Date:  19 Nov 2008

A Kent Conservative candidate has launched a petition calling for the abolition of empty property rates in England, it has been announced.

Laura Sandys, the prospective Tory candidate for South Thanet, claims that firms in the county have been hit by the economic downturn and the need to pay for premises they cannot use is an unnecessary additional burden.

Ministers in Wales have already decided to scrap the levy in an attempt to help firms survive the downturn.

Ms Sandys said that local businesses were being penalised for being "loyal, local citizens and staying true to their roots".

She added: "They have continued to keep their businesses in Kent, pouring their money and efforts into keeping the area vibrant, and are now being stung for a tax on properties they simply cannot use just as recession begins to bite."

Echoing the comments, British Property Federation director for finance and investment Peter Cosmetatos said the "unintended consequences" of empty property rates were proving particularly damaging.

Last week, the Forum of Private Business commented that the end of empty property rate relief had impacted upon the commercial property market.

Vizards Tweedie are specialists in all aspects of commercial and residential property work. Contact Jeremy Blain for commercial property enquiries and Sandy Mitchell for residential property enquiries.

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