COMMERCIAL property landlords across Dorset are threatening to make empty premises unsuitable to rent in a bid to escape paying business rates in worsening trading conditions.

Jonathan Sibbett, director of commercial property agents, surveyors and town planners, Sibbett Gregory in Poole said: "We know of a lot of landlords who want to make their properties unusable and they are also looking at the chance to mitigate.

"Having to pay rates during the void period is detrimental."

Commercial properties can become unusable for instance if the roof has been removed.

He confirmed that there have been a lot of representations to government, which his company supports and that there will be increasing pressure to reverse the situation.

Alternatively it is worthwhile for a landlord to gain a charity as tenant because they receive better rates.

Business rate relief on empty commercial property was changed a few months ago. Before this, empty retail and office space received full relief for three months and 50 per cent thereafter, while industrial space (warehouses and factories) received full relief permanently. Since April 1, full rates apply to retail and office space after the first three months while industrial space is now charged full rates after six months.

Colin Jamieson, regional organiser for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said: "This is a complex issue. When it was first proposed by government the FSB was in favour because large companies were buying up units and leaving them empty which forced up the rental value.

"Under the current climate this has changed. Each case should be viewed on its merits."

The British Property Federation (BPF) has been campaigning for the relief to be reintroduced, a position supported by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the British Retail Consortium (BRC), British Chamber of Commerce and over 35 MPs from various parties.