Business rate mitigation for vacant properties

We specialise in business rates and levy mitigation strategies that don’t just reduce costs -  they add value. Whether your property is vacant, housing property guardians, awaiting redevelopment or facing a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), we provide tailored, fully compliant solutions that deliver significant savings while aligning with your ESG goals.

Each service is fully managed by our expert team, ensuring your property remains secure, maintained, and ready for its next phase — all while optimising your financial position and protecting your reputation.

Charitable Occupation

We connect landlords with reputable, mission-driven charities who need short-term space. By activating unused properties through charitable partnerships, landlords can reduce or eliminate business rates while delivering meaningful social impact.

  • Save up to 100% on business rates

  • Properties are maintained, secured, and better positioned for reletting

  • Excellent PR and ESG/CSR opportunities

  • Tailored matches with vetted charities

  • Fully managed process with all legal frameworks in place

Space that is filled through charitable partnerships is typically better maintained and more secure than empty space — reducing risks, improving relet potential, and enhancing your property's value.

CIL Mitigation

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) can place a substantial financial burden on development projects, however legitimate exemptions and reliefs are available. We work with developers, landlords, and planning consultants to identify and implement qualifying use cases that can significantly reduce or eliminate your CIL liability.

  • Reduce or remove CIL liability through compliant use strategies

  • Expert advice on exemption criteria and eligibility

  • Fast, practical solutions aligned with your development timeline

  • Full management of documentation and process

  • Proven track record navigating complex planning environments

By engaging early, we can help you unlock savings that directly support your project’s viability -  without compromising on integrity or compliance.

Alternative Mitigation Solutions

For sites not suitable for charitable use, we offer a strategic intermittent occupation model that provides an alternative compliant solution for rates reduction.

  • Legal, ethical, and HMRC-compliant

  • Proven savings through carefully timed occupation cycles

  • Designed for maximum efficiency and minimal disruption

  • Ideal for properties awaiting redevelopment or lease

We’ll work with you to determine the most suitable approach — or combination — based on your property profile, timelines, and long-term plans.

Guardian Property Mitigation

If you already have property guardians in place, we can help you go even further. Once a site is fully occupied by guardians, we work on your behalf to secure up to 80% business rates relief.

  • Designed for properties under a guardian scheme

  • Rates relief of up to 80% available

  • Fully managed application and mitigation process

  • Works in tandem with your guardian provider

  • Supports compliant, lived-in use that enhances building security and upkeep

By combining social purpose with smart strategy, guardian mitigation offers a practical solution that benefits both landlords and residents.

“During our regular site visits, it is so rewarding to see how much life there is in the building, and it’s a pleasure to know that some of the studios are licensed to local community activities, such as a dance studio, a local volunteers organisation, and others. On a wider scale, as one of the largest studio spaces in London, we can see changes to the social landscape contributing to the improving image of Woolwich.”

Simon Hall
Director, MDPL

  • Former School, Ladbroke Grove

    RATE SAVING STRATEGY: Guardian Occupation

    REDUCTION ACHIEVED: 80%

    RATES SAVED: £91,000pa

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  • Former Office, Ealing

    RATE SAVING STRATEGY: Charitable Occupation

    REDUCTION ACHIEVED: 80%

    RATES SAVED: £96,000pa

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  • Former Church, Peckham

    RATE SAVING STRATEGY: Charitable Occupation

    REDUCTION ACHIEVED: 80%

    RATES SAVED: £18,200pa

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  • Former Office, Greenwich

    RATE SAVING STRATEGY: Guardian Occupation

    REDUCTION ACHIEVED: 80%

    RATES SAVED: £297,000pa

    Read more

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Whether you're managing one property or an entire portfolio, we can help you reduce costs while giving back to the community.