If you're a landlord or occupier of commercial property in the UK, you may still be paying full business rates on a premises that is only partially in use—for example, during a phased refurbishment, part-vacancy, or reduced operations. However, under certain conditions, you may qualify for relief on business rates for partially used premises through a local authority provision known as Section 44A relief.
At Fraser Bond, we help landlords, investors, and commercial tenants secure partial rating relief, reduce holding costs, and maintain regulatory compliance across portfolios and individual assets.
Section 44A of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 allows local authorities to grant discretionary business rates relief when a part of a property is temporarily unoccupied but the remainder is still in use.
This relief is typically applied to:
Retail units undergoing phased refurbishment
Warehouses with unused floors or sections
Offices where only part of the space is operational
Multi-tenant properties with unlet floors or wings
The relief effectively reduces the rateable value of the premises based on the proportion of space currently in use, often for a limited period, typically up to 3 or 6 months, depending on the circumstances.
To qualify, the partial unoccupancy must be:
Temporary and clearly defined
Separately measurable and inaccessible to staff or the public
Due to specific operational or physical limitations, such as:
Renovation or reinstatement works
Health and safety closures
Vacancy during re-letting or transition
Fire or flood damage
Each local authority has discretion to approve or deny applications, and may request evidence including:
Floorplans indicating the vacant areas
Photographs of the unused sections
Contractor documentation (if undergoing works)
Proof that the unused space is not accessible or used in operations
Contact your billing authority – Request a Section 44A application form or online submission process.
Provide supporting evidence – Include site plans, photographic proof, and lease/occupancy schedules.
Arrange a site inspection – The council may inspect the premises to verify your claim.
Receive an adjusted bill – If approved, your business rates liability will be reduced to reflect the occupied portion only.
Note: The relief is time-limited and may require reapplication if the unoccupied portion remains unused beyond the original relief period.
At Fraser Bond, we assist landlords, tenants, and property managers with securing partial business rates relief by:
Evaluating whether your property qualifies for Section 44A
Preparing and submitting professional applications to your local authority
Coordinating with surveyors, loss adjusters, and compliance teams
Advising on strategic use of space to maximise available relief
Supporting appeals or negotiations in case of refusal
Our team works across all major London boroughs and throughout the UK, helping clients reduce unnecessary expenditure while maintaining property compliance.
If your commercial property is only partly occupied and you’re still paying full business rates, Fraser Bond can help you unlock temporary rating relief and reclaim overpaid costs.
Visit FraserBond.com to book a consultation or request support with a Section 44A application.
