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Alexander James & Company identified a problem where Commercial Landlords are sitting on empty property at the same time that many of the 170,000+ UK charities are struggling to pay their rent or find suitable accommodation. The solution is simple.
By connecting charities and landlords, we solve the issue of empty properties and affordable rental space for charities.
The charity enters into a flexible lease with the landlord. The agent can continue showing the property while the charity is in occupation. Should a rent-paying tenant be found, a short notice period will allow the landlord to get his property back. The landlord benefits from the Mandatory non-domestic rates relief while the charity is in occupation and will pass some of that saving to the charity to provide for moving in and relocation costs.
Alexander James & Company has a proprietary system that handles all steps automatically for both parties as well as interfacing with the local council to secure the Mandatory non-domestic rate relief.
BENEFITS TO LANDLORDS
Properties are no longer empty
Occupied properties are less likely to decay from lack of use
An empty space can scare off potential renters, and costs money to maintain
Landlords can continue to market the building uninterrupted
Estate agents prefer to show occupied buildings
Flexible leasing arrangements
Short notice periods when paying tenants are found
Savings due to reduction in non-domestic rates when a charity is in occupation
Can support landlord's ESG score
BENEFIT TO CHARITIES
Free rent frees up funds to pour directly into their mission
Boost to operational budget without having to fundraise
Commercial properties are often prime spots
Foot traffic means more people are aware of their mission
Easier to attract partners or grants
Staff and volunteers thrive in a decent workspace
Commercial buildings often comes with perks like better utilities or shared maintenance
Landlord open to make a donation for moving costs and non-domestic rates savings
BENEFIT TO COUNCILS
Unused property areas are revitalised
Cuts down on eyesores
Eases council's burden of dealing with derelict buildings
Fewer complaints from residents
Charities boost community services which councils are otherwise pressured to fund
Councils can stretch their budgets further.
Active properties keep areas lively with more foot traffic
Councils get credit for vibrant, supported communities without footing the bill,
Our Value Proposition
Our value proposition can be distilled from our approach to solving the dual problem of vacant commercial properties and the accommodation struggles of UK charities. We offer a practical, mutually beneficial solution by connecting commercial landlords with charities in need of affordable rental space.
For landlords, the value lies in turning an empty property—typically a financial liability due to rates and maintenance—into an asset that qualifies for mandatory non-domestic rates relief. This reduces their costs, and they retain flexibility since the charity’s lease allows the agent to keep marketing the property. If a paying tenant is found, the landlord can reclaim the space with short notice, minimizing risk and maximizing potential revenue.
For charities—over 170,000 of which face rental challenges in the UK—the value is access to affordable, suitable premises. They benefit from lower rent, subsidized partly by the landlord’s rates relief savings, plus support for moving and relocation costs. This alleviates financial strain and provides operational stability without long-term commitment risks.
We add further value through our proprietary system, which automates the process—handling leases, landlord-charity coordination, and council interactions for rates relief—making it seamless and efficient for both parties. In essence, the value proposition is a win-win: landlords reduce losses and maintain flexibility, charities gain affordable space, and the company streamlines it all with a hands-off, tech-driven solution.