More than 5,000 properties across the north have availed of vacant property relief for more than a decade.
The owners of unoccupied homes are entitled to 100% rates relief, while empty commercial properties can qualify for a 50% reduction in rates.
In response to a written question from SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole, Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald revealed that 13,036 properties in the region have availed of vacant property relief for more than one year.
The minister said 8,942 properties had benefited from vacant property relief for more than five years, while 5,614 properties had availed of the same relief for more than 10 years.
