With the announcement that Northern Ireland’s empty commercial property rates relief is set to end, many landlords will soon face significantly higher holding costs on vacant assets.

This change reinforces something our team has been saying for a long time:

👉 A proactive asset management and leasing strategy is no longer optional – it’s essential.

At a time when the financial pressure on empty space is increasing, the most successful landlords will be those who:

• Identify leasing opportunities early and position units competitively.
• Resolve barriers to occupation – whether physical, legal, or marketing-related.
• Use data to understand demand and target the right tenant sectors.
• Actively plan refurbishments or repurposing to reduce downtime and maximise long-term value.

A reactive approach will inevitably cost more going forward.

A planned strategy will protect income, reduce vacancy exposure, and keep assets performing.

At Lisney, we work with property owners across Northern Ireland to:

✔️ Analyse asset performance

✔️ Advise on letting strategy

✔️ Market vacant space effectively

✔️ Support negotiations and tenant onboarding

✔️ Deliver long-term value through ongoing asset management

If you’re reviewing how this policy change affects your portfolio, or want to explore how to reduce vacancy risk – we’re here to help.