Charity business relief

The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, has reissued an alert for charities about the risks when getting involved in arrangements to enter into tenancy agreements and take advantage of business rates relief.

Full business rates are due on empty commercial properties that remain unoccupied after three months, including lower value properties such as small shops. However, charities occupying commercial property qualify for a mandatory 80% discount on business rates, provided the property is used wholly or mainly for charitable purposes. The local authority also has the discretion to grant the remaining 20% as a further discount.

The Charity Commission is aware of cases where charities are being approached by retailers and landlords of hard to let property to enter into tenancy agreements that would relieve the landlords of the requirement to pay full business rates. It can be advantageous for charities to enter such agreements and provide good opportunities for them to lease accommodation for charitable uses, for low or nominal rents. They may also sometimes receive charitable donations from landlords that reflect a percentage of the business rates that they would otherwise be liable for.

However, these arrangements can represent a significant risk for charities and trustees. If the charity is not making sufficient use of the premises for charitable purposes which would attract the business rate relief, then it may be liable for the full business rate liability. In addition, the trustees may find themselves subject to personal liability if they have not carefully considered the proposed future use of the property before entering into any agreement and subsequently the claim for rate relief is not available.

The Commission has received information from a number of local authorities concerned about situations where charities are entering into tenancy agreements on commercial properties but where in practice the properties are, or appear to be, empty and/or only minimally used.

The Commission is concerned that these charities may find themselves involved in what local authorities might consider to be business rates avoidance by landlords. This could result in charities losing not just the discretionary discount, but being required to pay full business rates.

Before entering into any tenancy agreements to occupy empty properties, charity trustees must:

• Be assured that the tenancy agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the charity, will further the charity’s purposes and is in its best interests
• Ensure the property is genuinely required and is fit for purpose
• Consider the potential liability of the charity to pay outstanding rates if the local authority disputes use of the premises and refuses rates relief
• Very carefully safeguard the charity’s independence and ensure the charity is not being abused for the benefit of a commercial company
• Where appropriate, take suitable professional advice, including legal advice, before entering into a tenancy agreement.

For further information about charity business relief visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/tax/basics.htm#5.