Empty homes

How to report an empty home, how much it costs to leave a home empty and how to buy or sell an empty home.

If you own an empty home

It is up to you how to look after your property but we can help if a property gets stuck as an empty home. Call us to see how we can help:

Telephone: 030 33 33 3000

We focus is on providing advice, guiding you through the options so you can select the solution that is right for you. We also look at what can be done about problematic properties and cases where the owner has no intention of returning a property to use.

Many properties are empty for valid reasons, and we appreciate that renovations and sales take time. We rarely need to get involved in these circumstances.

Advice and information for empty home owners

Bring an empty home back into use

You can save money by bringing an empty property back into use but you could also bring in rental income or a significant lump sum by selling up.

We are trying to increase the supply of affordable housing in town centres by bringing empty properties back into use.

The Town Centre Living Fund supports ongoing work aimed at:

  • improving the sustainability and vibrancy of our town centres
  • encouraging the refurbishment of empty properties
  • providing homes for our communities

The fund supports projects which meet local housing need and wider regeneration outcomes. 

Find grants and funding

Read our empty homes plan that sets out our plan to bring empty homes back into use.

Get help selling you empty home

The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership’s (SEHP) National Matchmaker Scheme helps gives your property extra exposure to buyers specifically looking for empty homes, whether they need repairs or are ready to move in.

Register for the scheme

Council Tax Reduction

You may qualify for Council Tax Reduction if your property is unoccupied

However, we'll double the amount of Council Tax if a property is unoccupied for 12 months or more. 

This is called the long term empty property tariff. It applies even if a property is derelict or in very poor condition.