SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Will the government's proposed changes to Empty Property Rate Relief (ie rate increases on empty properties) mean an increase in unused buildings in Leeds (possibly of historical/architectural interest) being deliberately made unratable/demolished?

or it could mean that people dont leave old buildings doing nothing, but knock them down for their land value and to avoid paying rates in the meantime.

Yep. More "mysterious fires....."

Or, without wanting to sound hopelessly naieve & unfashionably uncynical... it might mean that people are encouraged to make better use of buildings that are currently standing empty!Am I living in a dream world?

No, Munki. That would be preferable, obviously. It depends on financial priorities. But, as we seem to be talking ourselves into a recession...

munki wrote: Or, without wanting to sound hopelessly naieve & unfashionably uncynical... it might mean that people are encouraged to make better use of buildings that are currently standing empty!Am I living in a dream world? The potential high return from renovating and bringing back into use the many listed properties in our City's inventory and which are rapidly falling to ruin doesn't sem to inspire much action munki, so I doubt an increased rates bill will.

The opposite, I'm afraid, Chameleon.

Si wrote: The opposite, I'm afraid, Chameleon. Sceptical perhaps, but we'll wait and see.