On 26 February 2008, the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI)

published the Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property) (England) Regulations 2008

(the 2008 Regulations) along with an accompanying explanatory memorandum

.

The 2008 Regulations are of interest to both finance and commercial property lawyers because they include a new permanent exception which provides that companies in administration are not liable for rates in respect of empty properties they own (regulation 4(l)).

The 2008 Regulations also impose a six month time limit on the exception from non-domestic rates for empty industrial premises (regulation 4(b)).