Empty Homes Grant Scheme
Following the success of our pilot scheme, we are excited to announce the reopening of our Empty Homes Grant Scheme. This initiative aims to bring empty homes back into use, providing much-needed housing and revitalising communities across the Scottish Borders.
Overview
The Empty Homes Grant Scheme offers financial assistance to property owners to renovate and refurbish empty homes, making them suitable for residential use. The scheme is designed to support the transformation of long-term empty properties into habitable homes, contributing to the local housing supply.
Key Features
- Grant Criteria: The property must have been empty for at least one year and be intended for full-time residential use upon completion of the works.
- Eligible Works: Grants can cover a range of renovation works, including structural repairs, rewiring, central heating installation, and more. Specific conditions apply to the types of work that qualify for funding.
- Application Process: Property owners must submit a detailed application, including proof of ownership, identity, and a schedule of proposed works. Pre-application discussions and site visits are required to agree on the eligible works.
- Funding Limits: Grants of up to £25,000 which is capped at 75% of eligible works for rental properties and capped at 50% for owner-occupied properties, subject to available funds.
First-Come, First-Served Basis
Grants are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and funding is not secured until a complete application has been formally approved. We aim to respond to applications within 30 days of receiving all required documentation.
Contact Information
If you wish to explore the opportunity of grant funding for your empty homes project, please fill in our expression of interest form and return it to our Empty Homes Officer at Rachel.whale@scotborders.gov.uk
We encourage all interested property owners to reach out and discuss their projects with our Empty Homes Officer to ensure a smooth application process.