Vacant Site

If you are responsible for a property that is not actively using water, you may benefit from registering it as a vacant site.  If you meet the criteria, you could be exempt from volumetric charges.  Fixed charge still applicable. Under Water Market regulations, your premise is considered to be a Vacant Premise if all of the following criteria is met:

• There is no physical occupation by any person, for any purpose, other than for the sole purpose of providing security services for the premises, for example, as a security guard.
• The premises is not open or available to the public or visitors.
• There is no stock left on the premises, except where items have been abandoned by a former tenant and the premises is not in use.
• There are no movable items left on the premises such as furniture, equipment tools, or movable equipment or machinery.
• Any fixtures and fittings have been abandoned by a former tenant and the premises is not in use.

For supplies in Scotland, Vacant properties are still required to pay.  The Scottish government have deemed that whilst vacant properties may not be in active use to produce goods and to deliver services, owners of these properties still benefit by being able to rely on the continued availability of services provided by Scottish Water. There is a reliance, in particular on drainage services, to ensure that rainwater from roofs and car parks continues to be drained so that properties are not flooded. Subsequent occupation of these premises is also dependent on the premises being fully serviced – that is – with access to services such as water and sewerage.