Empty homes

Houses that stand empty can cause nuisance and damage to neighbouring houses. They are also a waste because they could be used as homes.

We can advise owners of empty houses to help them bring the house back into use.

If the owner refuses to bring the house into use or fails to repair it, the Council can: 

• serve a notice on the owner to carry out repairs, and carry out the works itself if the owner fails to do so
• force the sale of the house to repay certain debts owed to the council.

 Empty homes schemes

• First Time Buyers’ Grants to renovate empty houses (elibibility criteria): 
  Grants to help first time buyers to renovate empty houses to an acceptable living standard. The property must be empty for a minimum of 6 months before purchase, and applicants must have a local connection to the area. Should you meet the eligibility criteria, contact us using the details below for further information. 
    
• National Empty Homes Grants:
  Grants of up to £25,000 are available for homeowners or prospective homeowners to renovate empty houses to make them safe to live in and improve their energy efficiency.
  To qualify for the grant, the property must have been registered as empty for a minimum of 12 months at the date of application, and the owner must meet the local connection criteria in Gwynedd.
• Vacant Homes Assistance: 
  Grants for landlords to renovate empty houses to an acceptable living standard. The property must be empty for a minimum of 6 months, and the property must be available for rent through PSL or the homelessness unit at completion. If you’re interested in this scheme, contact us for further information. 
• Houses into Homes scheme - Interest free loans:
  Interest free loans to enable houses to be renovated, improved and converted to be used as residential accommodation. Properties must have been empty for six months or more. Single dwellings are eligible for a loan of up to £35,000, with a maximum loan of £150,000 available per applicant.
  Expression of interest form

• Welsh Government’s Home Improvement Loan Scheme:
  Interest-free loans from £1,000 to £25,000 to assist property owners with renovation works. Available to owner occupiers, landlords, developers and charities to assist with making a home safe, warm, and secure. Loans are inclusive of a £500 administration fee which can be added to the loan. Loan term for owner occupiers is 7 years. For all other applicants, loan term is 5 years.
  Welsh Government's Home Improvement Loan Scheme Form

• VAT:
  The Council can help to reduce or eliminate the VAT payable on all materials used to bring a vacant property back into use. Properties that have been empty between 2 and 10 years can have the VAT on materials used reduced to 5%. Those empty for 10 years or more can have the VAT reduced to nil.

Contact the Empty Homes Team

• Phone: 01286 682621
• Email: taigwag@gwynedd.llyw.cymru