Empty Homes Assistance

Purpose

To enable dwellings which are currently unoccupied to reach the Decent Homes Standard and be returned to the Housing stock as residential dwellings available for rent

Decent Homes Standard

The Decent Homes Standard is a new way of measuring whether homes are in a reasonable condition.

There are 4 conditions which need to be satisfied in order to meet the standard:

1. Homes must be free from ‘category 1’ hazards as assessed using the new Housing Health and Safety Rating system.

Category 1 hazards are defects that could harm the health or safety of the occupier.

Typical examples are inadequate heating, dampness or electrical hazards.

2. Homes must be in a reasonable state of repair.

This means that the main elements of the structure such as the roof, walls, windows, plumbing or heating should not be old and in poor condition.

3. Homes should have reasonably modern facilities and services.

This means that bathrooms should be less than 30 years old and appropriately located, and that kitchens should be less than 20 years old and have adequate space and layout.

4. Homes should provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort.

This means that homes should have an efficient, programmable system of heating and adequate standards of insulation.

If you are the owner of an empty property which fails to meet the Decent Homes Standard and will agree to the condition that the property must be made available for renting, you may be eligible for grant aid.

For full details of the Decent Homes Standard - click here

A Housing Officer will assess your home in accordance with the above criteria as part of the grant application process.

The Assistance

Owners:

50% of the cost of eligible works subject to a maximum grant of £25,000 per unit of accommodation and accompanied by a 5 year availability for letting condition

OR

75% of the cost of eligible works subject to a maximum grant of £25,000 per unit of accommodation and accompanied by a 10 year availability for letting condition.

Grant Conditions (pdf.18 kb)

Further Help

If you are interested in making an application for an Empty Homes Assistance Grant, please click on the link below.  You can make an initial enquiry by telephone or on-line.  A Housing Officer will then contact you for an initial assessment and will help you with an application if you qualify for Assistance.

Contacting Environmental Health & Housing - click here.