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Empty Homes
What is an Empty Home?
A long term empty home is any privately owned home which has been empty for 6 months or more.
Empty homes are a wasted resource that could be used to help meet housing need, but instead help contribute to the UK's housing shortage. They can also cause problems for residents living in their vicinity and can have a negative impact on the wider community.
Bringing empty homes back into use can increase housing supply, improve community safety and contribute to regeneration.
Do you own an empty home?
There are a variety of different ways you can bring your property back into use through letting it out, living in it yourself or selling.
If you would like more information on what you could do with your empty property and the help available, contact the Empty Homes Officer via Customer Services
What is the Council's role with empty homes?
It is an owner's responsibility to look after their property. However, if a home gets 'stuck' as an empty, the Council can play a role in helping to fix the problem.
We do this through the Homes Again Project, which is a partnership between five local authorities (Dumfries & Galloway, East Lothian, Fife, Scottish Borders and West Lothian). The Empty Homes Officers work with owners in these areas, and with other services in the Council, to find the best ways to bring empty properties back into use.
Report an empty home
If you are concerned about an empty property, you can report it using the national website. Please provide as much information as possible about the property, including a precise address. This information will help identify what action is needed.
Empty Homes Matchmaker Scheme
The Council runs a matchmaker scheme that links empty home owners who are interested in selling their property with people who are interested in buying an empty home.
For more information about the scheme or to register as a seller or buyer, download the matchmaker leaflet and registration forms.
updated 23/08/2012
