Owners of vacant and derelict properties in Douglas will now face full rate charges after the city council scrapped an unofficial exemption policy with “no legal basis.”
The change follows a tribunal ruling that empty or run-down buildings were wrongly granted rates relief, prompting a stricter approach. Under the new policy, exemptions will only apply in limited circumstances.
Council Leader Devon Watson said the move would incentivise regeneration.
“We should be encouraging people to invest in their properties and, first and foremost, make sure people can live in them,” he said.
“There are plenty of buildings in our city centre that could be homes, businesses or community facilities but are left to decay instead because no one’s had to pay rates on them. That’s not fair on the rest of our ratepayers and it’s not good for Douglas.”
Mr Watson added: “This approach will create an incentive to either renovate the property or sell it to someone who will bring it into use.
“As a Council, we believe this new policy strikes the right balance between fairness for existing ratepayers, improving the overall appearance of the capital and, potentially, unlocking much-needed housing.”
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