The Scottish Government wants the owners of empty commercial properties to pay for the provision of water and wastewater services, rather than receiving a complete exemption as they currently do.
This is set to be introduced for the 2015-2021 period and could come into force as soon as April next year following a consultation, which is expected to be launched before the end of 2014.
The move follows changes last year to the business rates on empty business properties, which increased from 50 per cent to 90 per cent of the full occupied rate.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “At present the costs of providing services to vacant non-domestic properties are paid for by other business customers.
“The forthcoming consultation proposes that these empty properties should be charged in line with other businesses, with the additional money generated being used to restrict increases to business water and sewerage charges, thereby benefiting the vast majority of businesses across Scotland.”
In its general policy statement on charging for water services, the Scottish Government also stated that it intends to introduce £4.5 million worth of assistance for charitable organisations.