COVID-19:  Commercial Rates Moratorium

The government has agreed a moratorium for commercial rates payments for a period of three months until the end of May, due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.  This moratorium will not be a blanket deferral of all commercial rates due but will be assessed by local authorities on a case by case basis.

The implementation and assessment of what businesses will be able to avail of the moratorium for commercial rates payments is decided by each local authority.  The main businesses which are set to benefit are those in the hospitality sector, small and medium retailers, leisure and childcare areas.

Crucially, the government has stated that ratepayers that are able to continue paying their outstanding local authority rates should continue to do so.

While there is a definite deferral of commercial rate payments for businesses who are unable to pay their commercial rates until the end of May, any further deferrals will be assessed by the government while taking the situation regarding COVID-19 into consideration.  Chambers Ireland has called for more clarity on this issue so that all businesses nationwide have a level playing field when it comes to deferral of rate payments.  They have also asked the government to commit to extend the rates relief beyond the current three-month period for the duration of the current crisis.

Commercial ratepayers are urged to contact their local authority immediately in relation to any rate payments falling due prior to the end of May to confirm if they will be able to avail of the moratorium.

How we can help

If you have any queries or concerns, or would like to discuss the above in further detail, please feel free to contact Michelle McArdle in our Real Estate Department on mmcardle@bhsm.ie / +353 (0)1 440 8313.

This article is for general information purposes.  Legal advice must be obtained for individual circumstances.  Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this article, no liability is accepted by the author for any inaccuracies.