Landlords

HOW WE HELP LANDLORDS…

Put succinctly, we offer your empty premises to a recognised and reputable good cause on a rent-free basis, using a legally binding rolling tenancy/licence to protect your interests. The resulting business rates reduction is shared between you, us and the good cause. The benefits of lower maintenance, CSR, and positive image of a going concern help to relet your property faster than if it had remained vacant.

50% + Ethical Empty Rates Reduction

The idea is simple, low risk, legal and proven. By occupying otherwise empty commercial premises, a charity can reduce your business rates burden by qualifying for, and paying, 20% of the normal empty business rates charge. This is a special rate only available to genuine charities and social causes using your space. In this way, the rate paying landlord’s net saving is at least 50% throughout the swift-to-implement, 1 month’s notice agreement. The charity commits to being able to dismantle the operation within days, should you find a new tenant, or if the space is needed back for any reason.

ASTOP offered us the best solution for our client. Shaylesh’s team is a pleasure to work with!

Tim Leatham MRICS, Director, Property Management, Savills

As well as being able to save landlords money from day one and the flexibility of the rolling 1 month notice, our landlords & their agents also benefit (where relevant) from the positive look and feel of the space as a vibrant going concern. The CSR and kudos of doing something charitable with otherwise unused space also looks good and offers significant PR opportunities. Finally, landlords and agents have reported that the empty property burden of anti-social activities, insurance surcharges and cover limitations and repair costs is significantly lower when premises are in regular use compared to being left empty. Potentially expensive issues are identified quicker and dealt with sooner too. This also saves money. Everyone wins. Our current and past clients include:

Break-even Period & Tenancy Duration

Landlord’s net business rates saving equates to 50% and start from the very first day of our relationship. Unlike other less ethical empty rates mitigaton options, you don’t have to wait 43 days to start to save your first pound or wait 3 months to have reached a 50% total saving.

Landlords can terminate the tenancy anytime, penalty-free by serving no more than one month’s notice. This means that even if you receive a credible letting offer, you can serve notice in less time than it typically takes to sign all the legals – assuming the deal does actually complete. And if the deal falls through, our nimble charity partners are normally able to stay on.

On occasion, charities are able to source additional funds from elsewhere for their proposed initiative of your space (e.g., local grants). In exchange for some security of tenure (typically 12-24 months), this will translate into a further cost reduction for the landlord and may even make the site cost neutral. Some charities have gone on to become rent paying, longer-term tenants.

Empty Rates Mitigation – Your Ethical Options

Shaylesh Patel, ASTOP and its associates have an extensive UK wide network that has allowed us to create mutually beneficial arrangements between landlords and high-profile charities including:

as well as many housing associations, food banks and furniture charities plus dozens of other smaller charitable organisations and social enterprises. Our use of retail, warehouse & office space has been accepted by over 100 local authorities to date and commended by councillors and MPs across the UK political spectrum. Unlike the highly bureaucratic “in and out” rates mitigation alternatives, which councils now frown upon, the charity-landlord partnerships we create are widely accepted as the most ethical form of rates reduction by both local and national government. Many arguably unethical alternatives, often appear marginally lower in cost but in fact have hidden charges and are currently the subject of pending legislation to curb their activities.

Box shifting as it’s known is neither ethical nor good for business. With new legislation in the pipeline, we would strongly advise all landlords avoid it. It’s just not worth it!

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FOR A FREE CONSULTATION WITHOUT OBLIGATION

020 8748 1033

shaylesh@astop.org.uk

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