Commercial Property Advisors CPA), consultants on business rates, views with concern proposals by the Welsh legislature to extend the period of occupation necessary to trigger a new rates free period from six weeks (currently the case in England) to six months. The change is due to come into force on 1 April, 2022.
A spokesperson for CPA commented: " Why on earth should Wales be making life even tougher for landlords, with the property market needing help, not brickbats? The 100% rate of empty rates liability, when it kicks in, is punishment enough. Naturally, landlords will try to mitigate this burden, as expeditiously as the law permits. "
"CPA recognises the difficulty involved in letting properties during a pandemic, and calls on the Welsh Government to retain the current six-week qualifying period for rates relief."