Campaign to reduce number of empty private homes

This is the vision of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership with Shelter Scotland working in partnership with local authorities to make private homeowners aware of the support available to them to try and bring as many empty homes as possible back into use whether they are rented or sold to help ease the housing crisis. 

A long-term empty home is deemed as any privately-owned home which has been empty for 6 months or more.

Bringing empty homes back into use can increase housing supply, improve community safety and contribute to regeneration. It is recognised there can be a variety of different factors that could contribute to a property being empty for a prolonged period. However, it is important to know that help and support is available.

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 or selling. The first thing you can do is to contact West Lothian Council's Empty Homes Officer who can discuss your case and identify your needs to get your home back into a habitable condition. They can provide a range of support and guidance, such as:

• Provide general advice to owners on the options available to them including selling, renting or using the property as their home 
• Information on Merchant Discount Schemes and VAT reclaims for renovation projects on long term empty homes
• Advice on how to become a Landlord including compliance and safety requirements
• Guidance on Council Tax exemptions and levies on empty homes
• The Empty Homes Officer can put owners in touch with potential purchasers through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership Matchmaker scheme which includes investors, Auction Houses and Charities who will potentially purchase or sell a property in any condition
• West Lothian Council's Open Market Acquisition Scheme may be available for qualifying properties; a property that was previously owned by West Lothian Council or Livingston Development Corporation could be eligible for purchase by West Lothian Council to add to their social housing stock.
• Information on how to keep an empty home safe so that it does not become a burden to the owner or a blight on a neighbourhood
• Direct owners to advice on properties that are part of a Deceased Estate (where the owner has passed away).

If you are concerned about an empty property near you, then you can also report this to the Empty Homes Officer. Please provide as much information as possible about the property, including a precise address. This information will help identify what action is needed.

Get in touch today by emailing: emptyhomes@westlothian.gov.uk

Alternatively, advice is available from the Shelter Scotland website https://emptyhomespartnership.scot/. The Empty Homes team at Shelter Scotland can be contacted on 0344 515 1941 or email emptyhomes@shelter.org.uk

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: "While the council continues to work to reduce void council properties, it is equally important that support and advice is provided that will also reduce the number of private homes not being lived in.

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. If you need some advice to help bring a private property back into a liveable condition or have concerns about a vacant property near you then please get in touch with the council's Empty Homes Officer."