On the Case: Empty property rates after Supreme Court decision in Hurstwood

Roger Cohen, senior counsel at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, and business rates specialist, Blake Penfold, analyse the Supreme Court decision in the combined cases of Rossendale Borough Council v Hurstwood Properties (A) Ltd and Wigan Council v Property Alliance Group Ltd.

Cohen and Penfold explain the empty property rates avoidance strategy employed by property owners in the case, address the court's findings on its effectiveness and consider the significant implications of this decision .

In addition, they look at the wider problems of rating for the owners of vacant properties, what other strategies for avoidance remain available, and the possibilities for reform.