Empty homes

A long term empty home is any privately owned home which has been empty for six months or more.

An empty home can cost its owner thousands of pounds per year, through:

• Council Tax
• insurance
• security (for example boarding up windows)
• maintenance

Bringing an empty property back into use not only saves the owner these costs, but it can provide thousands of pounds a year in rental income, or a significant lump sum through sale to a new owner.

What is our role with empty homes?

It is an owner's responsibility to look after their property. However, if a home gets stuck as empty we may be able to assist:

• many properties are empty for legitimate reasons, and renovations and sales take time
• we provide advice for owners who want to do something with their empty property. There is a range of options and support available
• 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

If 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
• selling

If you would like more information on what you could do with your empty property and the help available, please contact the Housing Strategy Team. You can also get assistance from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership website.

Report an empty home

If you are concerned about an empty property, email our Empty Homes Officer Rachel.whale@scotborders.gov.uk

Make sure you provide the address and as much information about the empty property as possible.