The property industry has launched new lease guidance for businesses covering energy performance certificates (EPCs) and empty rates, which come into effect from April 1, and April 6, respectively.

The new briefings support the Lease Code, which is a good practice guide for business leases, which was launched a year ago. It is a collaborative effort between 12 trade bodies including the British Property Federation, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and British Retail Consortium, and is supported by the Communities and Local Government (CLG).

The Lease Code promotes flexibility and variety in the provision of leases, aiming to help businesses avoid disputes and resolve them without the need for government legislation.

Legislation affecting non-domestic rates on empty property comes into effect on April 1, 2008. Until April 1, 2008, empty industrial property did not attract empty rates, whereas empty office and retail property were charged at 50 per cent rate following a three-month exemption.

With effect from April 1, 2008, empty industrial property is exempt for six months from the date they became unoccupied, after which time it will be charged at the full rate; whereas empty offices and retail property will be charged at the full rate following a three-month exemption period.

The third edition of the voluntary code was launched a year ago by the then planning minister Yvette Cooper.

The Law Society has published a standard lease for small businesses, which is consistent with guidance given in the Lease Code. Welcoming the action of members in updating the code, housing and planning minister, Caroline Flint, said: “The UK’s commercial property sector is internationally recognised as an efficient competitive industry, and one of the most sophisticated in the world. We have worked with the industry to develop this code, and are looking to it to produce real results. I welcome the industry’s initiative in updating the code and keeping it a live document.”