Empty homes
Housing minister told of work to tackle empty homes in Falkirk
Housing minister Kevin Stewart has met with Falkirk Council’s head of housing services to hear about the work being done to combat empty homes in the area.
Published 9 August 2019
Scots back action against owners of empty homes but almost half say they wouldn’t report one
A majority of Scots agree that empty homes lead to a reduction in the amount of available housing and believe private owners of empty homes should be pressured to bring them back into use, according to new opinion polling.
Published 31 July 2019
More than 1,000 empty homes brought back in record-breaking year
A record number of privately-owned empty homes in Scotland were brought back into use with help from local councils last year.
Published 12 June 2019
Policy flexibility key to opening up Scotland’s empty rural homes
More empty homes in the countryside could be returned to use if greater policy flexibility was available to recognise the “unique circumstances” of rural Scotland, according to Scottish Land & Estates.
Published 6 June 2019
Success for South Ayrshire empty homes initiative
South Ayrshire Council has more than exceeded its targets for bringing empty private properties back into use, new figures have revealed.
Published 21 May 2019
Councils back plans to force sale of empty homes
Plans to introduce compulsory sales orders (CSOs) for empty homes in Scotland have been backed by a number of councils.
Published 15 May 2019
Holyrood committee launches inquiry into Scotland’s empty homes
The extent of empty homes and how these can be brought back into use is to be investigated by the Scottish Parliament’s local government and communities committee.
Published 5 April 2019
Council brings more empty Argyll and Bute homes back into use
A total of 37 empty homes were brought back into use in Argyll and Bute from April through to December last year – exceeding Argyll and Bute Council’s annual target of 25.
Published 15 March 2019
Aberdeen to launch new empty homes service
Aberdeen City Council has launched a new empty homes service with support from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP).
Published 20 February 2019
E.ON launches pilot project to bring empty homes back into use
Energy supplier E.ON launched an innovative pilot project to help tackle the blight of long-term empty homes and the current housing shortage that persists across the UK.
Published 8 January 2019
MSP bemoans ‘dramatic rise’ in number of empty properties in South Lanarkshire
A Conservative MSP has condemned the rise of empty properties within South Lanarkshire, and across Scotland, since 2007.
Published 14 December 2018
Stirling Council officer honoured for empty homes work
A Stirling Council worker has received national recognition for her efforts in bringing empty homes back into use after scooping a prestigious award.
Published 13 December 2018
Empty homes work in Angus and Dundee recognised
The Empty Homes Service shared by Angus and Dundee councils has won a prestigious national award in recognition of its success at bringing vacant property back into use.
Published 30 November 2018
Argyll and Bute empty homes officer wins prestigious award
Argyll and Bute Council's empty homes officer, Kelly Ferns, has been named Outstanding Individual at the Howdens Scottish Empty Homes Champions of the Year Awards for her commitment and dedication to empty homes work.
Published 29 November 2018
Conference to hear of step-change for empty homes work in Scotland
Delegates from across Scotland will hear about the range of successful initiatives and projects bringing new momentum to the challenge of turning long-term private empty properties in to homes again.
Published 26 November 2018
