How to Prove Real ROI Through Charity Occupation and Social Value Reporting
It’s well-known that empty commercial properties represent more than lost rental income. They are ongoing liabilities for owners and landlords. Punitive empty property Business rates, insurance, and security costs quickly add up. Unused buildings are at higher risk of vandalism, damp, and decay. Yet there’s a practical, compliant, and socially valuable way to turn those voids into a measurable return. Charity occupation, even temporary, supported by Social Value Reporting, can go a long way to reducing the impact of underoccupancy.
Social Value Reporting doesn’t just tell a good story, though. It is a tool that commercial landlords and property owners can use to prove real ROI and, in doing so, strengthen partnerships with councils and other stakeholders. If you’re faced with an empty property, we’ve written this blog to introduce you to Social Value Reporting and demonstrate its value to you.
Why Proving ROI Matters in Empty Property Management
In today’s economic climate, Vacant building costs are spiralling upwards. At the same time, councils are under growing pressure to ensure that rate relief is granted only where a genuine public benefit exists. That increases the value of clear evidence that a charity or good cause tenancy scheme is contributing to the community and mitigating local issues of deprivation or vacancy, not just lining landlord pockets.
In today’s regulatory environment, good intentions aren’t enough. Decisions are made solely based on measurable impact. Social Value Reporting provides that measurable impact. It transforms charity occupation from a short-term cost-saving measure into a transparent, data-driven partnership model that satisfies councils, reassures investors, and maintains a property’s condition and reputation.
What is Social Value Reporting?
In simple terms, Social Value Reporting is the process of quantifying and presenting the tangible benefits of a development beyond its financial performance.
When it comes to leasing empty properties to charities and good causes, Social Value Performance typically combines traditional property metrics with community outcomes such as the number of people supported, activities delivered, jobs created and volunteering hours supported.
Social value reporting is increasingly used by landlords when:
- Applying for discretionary business rate relief from local authorities
- Demonstrating compliance and transparency to local and national government
- Providing evidence of ESG impact to investors and corporate partners.
By aligning financial targets with measurable community benefit, as expressed in a Social Value Report, landlords can prove that their approach isn’t just about rate mitigation. A Social Value approach is creating shared value.
What Social Value Reporting Measures
A strong Social Value Report doesn’t rely on generic claims and commentary; it presents clear, verifiable data points, including the following measures.
- Number of people supported or trained
- Community services delivered
- Local partnerships or joint programmes
- Footfall and building usage
- Economic activity generated (local spend, jobs, volunteer hours)
- Reduced vacancy risk and improved property condition
These metrics paint a fuller picture of impact, showing councils and stakeholders that the landlord’s decisions add value to the communities in which they operate, alongside any financial imperatives.
How Charity Occupation Creates Measurable ROI for The Owner
For landlords and property owners, positive outcomes of charity and good cause rentals contribute directly, and indirectly, to the total return on investment. We’ve shared a few examples of these benefits below.
Reduced Business Rates
Charities qualify for 80% mandatory business rate relief, but when a property is actively occupied by a registered charity for its core purposes, the remaining 20% may also be subject to discretionary relief from the local authority.
Many councils now use social value data to inform who gets this extra relief, effectively reducing the local business rates liability to zero. They favour landlords who can demonstrate that their properties host genuine, beneficial charitable activities through Social Value Reporting.
Improved Security and Lower Insurance Costs
Empty buildings attract a range of problems, including graffiti, squatting, copper theft, and arson. Active charity occupation, by contrast, brings consistent footfall and visibility, which reduces risk, deters crime and makes anti-social behaviour less likely.
Insurers recognise this reduced risk profile, meaning landlords can often negotiate lower premiums. The presence of trained staff or volunteers also decreases the need for costly security patrols, CCTV, or other protection.
Better Property Condition & Maintenance
There are few better ways to keep a property ventilated, heated, and maintained than it is used every day. Minor issues, such as leaks or cracked plaster, are more likely to be identified and addressed in an occupied building. By contrast, vacant spaces often deteriorate quickly, necessitating extensive work.
Reletting Advantages
An active building creates a sense of life and stability. When it comes time to remarket, these properties stand out for their good condition and prospective tenants are more likely to view them favourably. Over time, this can significantly shorten reletting periods and improve long-term asset performance.
These benefits of charity leasing are apparent to a vacant property owner, but they only tell one side of the story. Rather than focus on the financial savings and risk mitigations gained by an empty property owner, Social Value Reporting shifts the lens to the wider community. What difference does a charity leasing project make?
Why Social Value Reporting Matters to Local Authorities
Local authorities hold the cards when it comes to determining who gets business rate relief and who doesn’t. In recent years, they’ve adopted a far more evidence-based approach to the task, meaning landlords who can demonstrate measurable social value are far more likely to secure positive outcomes. Councils want to see data showing how a charity’s activities contribute to community wellbeing, employment, education, and local engagement.
Proven social value helps councils justify the allocation of discretionary rate relief and strengthens their ability to report on community impact to government and funding bodies. Situations where underused spaces are repurposed for public benefit also support broader economic and social regeneration strategies. Social Value Reporting provides councils and other gatekeepers with the evidence they need to make informed, transparent decisions.
What Goes Into a Social Value Report?
Creating a professional social value report doesn’t have to be overly complex, but it does require careful consideration. To help, we’ve shared a typical report structure below.
- Property Overview – Address, ownership, and vacancy history.
- Charity or Good Cause Profile – Details, mission, and legal status.
- Activities Summary – Services, programmes, or community initiatives delivered.
- Quantitative Data – Number of beneficiaries, hours delivered, and economic impact.
- Evidence Base – Photographs, testimonials, and council correspondence.
- Compliance statement – Confirmation that all lease and usage terms meet legal and regulatory requirements.
A well-compiled report not only supports rate relief applications but also acts as a lasting record of the property’s value contribution. We are conscious that not all projects fit easily into an existing framework, so if you need help with something more bespoke, contact the ASTOP team, who can provide reporting advice based on years of experience liaising with local councils.
Examples Of Real Metrics Landlords Can Prove
When it comes to demonstrating the success of a charity occupying an otherwise empty property, numbers speak louder than narratives. Social value reporting transforms goodwill into credible data, allowing landlords to present concrete, defensible metrics to councils, investors, and insurers. By tracking the financial and social impact of occupation, property owners can clearly demonstrate how an empty property has been turned into a productive, community-serving asset.
Social Impact Metric
People supported per month
Quantifiable reach within the community.
Hours of activity delivered
Training, counselling, or workshops.
Employment and volunteering
Number of roles created locally.
Community partnerships
Local councils, charities, and social enterprises.
For landlords, social media impact metrics support rate relief applications but also enhance corporate reputation, strengthen stakeholder trust, and demonstrate ESG & CSR policy compliance.
Local Council Response When Impact Is Proven
As part of overseeing local regeneration outcomes, local authorities play a central role in determining who gets business rate relief. In recent years, they’ve adopted a far more evidence-based approach, meaning landlords who can demonstrate measurable social value are far more likely to secure positive outcomes. Councils want to see data showing how a charity’s activities contribute to community wellbeing, employment, education, and local engagement.
Proven social value helps councils justify the allocation of discretionary rate relief and strengthens their ability to report on community impact to government and funding bodies. It also supports broader economic and social regeneration strategies, where underused spaces are repurposed for public benefit. In short, social value reporting benefits not only the landlord but also provides councils with the evidence they need to make informed, transparent decisions that deliver a meaningful local impact.
Landlord’s Benefit Vs Social Impact Benefits (Infographic)
How ASTOP Supports Social Value Reporting
ASTOP makes the process simple, transparent, and compliant from start to finish. Every charity occupation we support is backed by full documentation and measurable results.
Here’s what landlords can expect:
- Vetting & Matching: ASTOP pairs properties with charities and good causes.
- Comprehensive Documentation: ASTOP checks all leases and agreements.
- Ongoing Monitoring: ASTOP verifies use and occupancy.
- Report Creation: ASTOP prepares required reports.
- Relief Guidance: ASTOP supports negotiations with local councils.
- Project Wrap-up: ASTOP provides a clear summary of evidenced outcomes.
ASTOP’s end-to-end approach ensures landlords achieve both cost efficiency and credibility, aligning asset management strategy with ESG and community objectives.
If you’re managing empty commercial properties and want to reduce holding costs while demonstrating genuine community impact, ASTOP can help.
Our charity occupation and social value reporting services provide landlords with compliant, data-driven evidence that secures rate relief, protects assets, and strengthens council relationships. If you want more information, you can read our blogs on how charity leasing reduces business rates, how developers can gain CIL tax benefits, and how councils approach ethical property management.
Contact ASTOP today to discuss how charity leasing could unlock measurable ROI from your vacant portfolio.
