Financial Assistance For Owners of Empty Properties

If you are the owner of an empty property that is in need of repair and renovation, you may wish to know that financial assistance could be available in the form of a Temporary Social Housing Grant (TSH).

Eligibility for funding will be dependent upon a number of factors such as:

• available resources
• property location
• property type
• housing need in the area.

Please note that no guarantee of financial assistance can be given prior to purchase, and that grants cannot be paid retrospectively.

The main features of this option are as follows:

• The level of grant available will vary from property to property. In most cases the owner will be asked to make a contribution. 
• In return, the owner will agree to lease their property to a housing association for an agreed period. A lease agreement is entered into and the rent charged will be 'affordable'.
• The lease period will be for a minimum of six years and this is determined by the owner after consultation with the Council and housing association.
• The housing association will guarantee the rent for the duration of the lease, even if the property remains empty for a period of time.

For more information please contact Housing Needs and Development on (01432) 261905.

There is also assistance available for existing landlords who join the Home Cert Landlord Accreditation scheme.