✓ Passed into LawLords
UK Parliament · Bill
Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007
Summary
This Act changes how business rates (property taxes) are calculated for empty properties in England and Wales. It imposes higher charges or removes rate relief for buildings left empty for extended periods, aiming to encourage owners to occupy, rent out, or repurpose vacant buildings instead of leaving them unused.
A vote to support means
- —Supporting this Act means wanting to encourage empty properties to be brought back into use. It does this by charging higher business rates (taxes) on empty buildings, making it more expensive for owners to leave properties unused and giving them an incentive to rent them out or sell them.
A vote to oppose means
- —Critics worry the Act places too much financial burden on property owners who may have legitimate reasons for empty properties, such as ongoing renovations or inherited buildings they're trying to sell. Some argue it doesn't actually solve the housing shortage and could push costs onto tenants through higher rents.
Cast Your Vote
People's Vote0 votes
0% Support · 00% Oppose · 0
Bill Passage
Commons
- 1st reading10 May 2007
- 2nd reading7 Jun 2007
- Committee stage14 Jun 2007
- Report stage14 Jun 2007
- 3rd reading14 Jun 2007
Lords
- 1st reading14 Jun 2007
- 2nd reading26 Jun 2007
- 3rd reading3 Jul 2007
Royal Assent19 Jul 2007
Full Bill Description(click to expand)
No description available