If the part of the property that is occupied can be occupied separately from the remainder of the building ,e.g. it has or is capable of having its own access points, then the Valuation Officer might be able to split the existing rating assessment to allow for the occupied and unoccupied parts. If it cannot, then the splitting of the assessment cannot be made and this option is not available. 

If it appears to the Billing Authority (i.e. Warwick District Council) that the part of the property that is empty will remain so for a short time only, then the Authority may request a certificate under Section 44A of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. This is completely at the Authority`s discretion. There is no definition of what constitutes a short time and all factors concerning the type of business and property would be considered. Furthermore, if a certificate is requested, then in view of the "short term" requirement, it would only run for a limited period, e.g. to the end of the year in which the request was made.

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• Valuation Officer