Empty Home Grants in London: What's Available, Where & How Much
London's empty homes crisis continues to challenge the capital's housing market, with over 34,600 long-term vacant properties (properties empty for 6 months or more) scattered across the city's 33 boroughs - enough housing to accommodate more than 100,000 Londoners.
While the citywide vacancy rate of 0.98% appears modest, individual boroughs like Kingston upon Thames (2.77%) and Kensington & Chelsea (2.03%) face significantly higher concentrations of empty properties.
This comprehensive guide examines the grants, loans, and incentive schemes available to property owners and investors looking to bring these vacant buildings back into productive use, potentially delivering both strong returns on investment and addressing critical housing shortages in one of Europe's most expensive property markets.
Data updated: March 2025.
London Empty Home Grants Summary 2025
The London property landscape shows 14 out of 33 boroughs offering dedicated empty homes funding, with Camden (£80,000), Southwark (£40,000), and Croydon (£40,000) providing the highest grant values. Most schemes require properties to be vacant for 6+ months with conditions including council nominations or affordable rent commitments. Boroughs with the most severe vacancy issues include Kingston upon Thames (2.77% vacancy rate), Kensington & Chelsea (2.03% rate), and Southwark (2,354 empty homes). Additional support varies by borough, with private sector leasing schemes in 15 councils.
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by Robert Jones, Founder of Property Investments UK
With nearly two decades in UK property, Rob has been investing in buy-to-let since 2005, and uses property data to develop tools for property market analysis.
A List of Councils in London and their Empty Home Grants
Note: if you're a local council and would like to add your details here to this resource then please contact us with your details and we will be happy to add them for you.
- Barking and Dagenham
- Barnet
- Bexley
- Brent
- Bromley
- Camden
- City of London
- Croydon
- Ealing
- Enfield
- Greenwich
- Hackney
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- Haringey
- Harrow
- Havering
- Hillingdon
- Hounslow
- Islington
- Kensington and Chelsea
- Kingston upon Thames
- Lambeth
- Lewisham
- Merton
- Newham
- Redbridge
- Richmond upon Thames
- Southwark
- Sutton
- Tower Hamlets
- Waltham Forest
- Wandsworth
- City of Westminster
Barking and Dagenham Council
Barking and Dagenham empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Barking and Dagenham through any local grant or loan funding.
They do have an empty homes policy 2024.
Barking and Dagenham private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme, which lets owners lease properties to families in need, with the council providing the rent and managing agents handling tenants. This offers secure rental income and full management while helping house local homeless households. A rent deposit scheme is also available, connecting landlords with vetted tenants and providing incentives like advance rent and deposit support.
Learn more about Barking's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Barnet Council
Barnet empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, empty homes grants up to £25,500 are available from Barnet Council for landlords renovating long-term empty properties. To qualify, landlords must agree to let the property through the Let2Barnet scheme for a minimum of three years. A separate £20,000 grant is available for owner-occupiers returning from care or key workers purchasing an empty home.
Barnet private sector leasing scheme: ✅ The Let2Barnet scheme offers a private sector leasing scheme, which provides guaranteed rent for up to 5 years, even if tenants do not pay or the property is empty and includes full property management. They are specifically looking for 2,3 or 4 bedroom properties.
Learn more about Barnet's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Bexley Council
Bexley empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Barking and Dagenham through any local grant or loan funding.
Bexley home-owner grants: ✅ Yes, home repair grants up to £8,000 are available from Bexley Council. This is specifically meant for owner-occupiers over 60 years old and where the household includes a disabled person of any age.
Bexley private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Unfortunately, there is no dedicated private sector leasing scheme in Bexley. However, the council do assist landlords in finding tenants through their Let2Bex scheme, which provides incentives including tenant finding, inventories, tenancy agreements, partial cover for any rent arrears and damage.
Brent Council
Brent empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, Brent Council offers three empty homes grants.
- Refurbishment grant
The amount of grant you will receive is dependent on the size of the property and the number of people that can occupy it.
You may receive a grant of up to 70 per cent of the cost of repair works, or a maximum of £6,500 per person that can occupy your property, whichever is lower. The grant is not means tested, companies as well as individuals can apply.
A one-bedroom property is at 50 per cent, two bedroom properties at 60 per cent and three bedroom and larger are 70 per cent, or at the level of £6,500 for every person that could be accommodated.
The approved grant would be the lower of the two calculations and a decision on what may be grant aided will be made only after our surveyor has visited the property.
For example: for a two bedroom property, you could get up to £26,000 in grant aid for refurbishment or conversion works and a potential average rental income of £14,500 per year.
This grant may cover works such as faulty and unsafe electrics, inferior heating system, windows that are so faulty as to be very poor insulation, inadequate kitchen food safety or food preparation arrangements and bathrooms that are very old.
It may also cover work to provide additional bedroom(s), subject to relevant planning and building control approval
- Conversion grant
This grant can help pay for converting a large empty home into smaller units or a commercial premises into residential properties. This is always subject to full planning consent.
- Commercial grant
Grants for empty commercial properties can help towards the cost of conversion into residential units.
We can provide grants of up to:
- £156,000 for 4 units or more
- £39,000 for each 3 bedroom unit
- 70 per cent of reasonable cost of works
The Empty Property Team can also provide support with planning applications.
Source: Brent.gov.uk
Brent private sector leasing scheme: ✅ Brent operates a Private Sector Leasing Scheme in partnership with local housing associations. Private landlords can lease their property to the housing association with The Housing Association Lease Scheme (HALS) offering a 3 to 5 year lease with guaranteed rent payments and full property management.
Learn more about Brent's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Bromley Council
Bromley empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Bromley through any local grant, funding, or lease schemes. They have in the past provided this and are currently reviewing their empty homes policy.
Bromley private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Unfortunately, Bromley does not offer a dedicated private sector leasing scheme.
Learn more about Bromley's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Camden Council
Camden empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, empty homes grants up to £80,000 are available from Camden Council for landlords renovating long-term empty properties.
You can apply for a maximum grant up to:
- £15,000 – per bedsit and, or a studio and, or a one bedroom property
- £30,000 – per two-bedroom single household property
- £40,000 – per three-bedroom single household property or larger
- £80,000 – per building, whichever is the lesser amount
Camden grants for landlords: ✅ Yes, Camden do provide some additional funding and grants for landlords including a landlord security grant scheme. This helps fund security improvements to homes including locks to doors, communal intercom systems and video security systems. Up to £500 per let or £5,000 per building whichever is the lesser amount.
They also provide a minimum energy efficiency support grant for properties with a grade D - G energy performance certificate rating. This includes match funding up to £10,000 per building to help landlords improve the housing stock.
Camden private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Unfortunately, Camden does not offer a dedicated private sector leasing scheme. They do though have a lettings team, which helps landlords find tenants and provides some financial incentives.
Learn more about Camden's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
City of London
City of London empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in the City of London through any local grant or loan funding.
City of London private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Unfortunately, the City of London does not offer a dedicated private sector leasing scheme.
Croydon Council
Croydon empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, empty homes loans (not grants) up to £40,000 are available from Croydon Council for landlords renovating long-term empty properties. There are some terms and conditions, including the property needs to be 2 or more bedrooms and the loan is for a maximum of 2 years.
Croydon private sector leasing scheme:❌ Unfortunately, Croydon does not offer a dedicated private sector leasing scheme, however it does provide some landlord support with finding tenants and some financial incentives on successful placement of tenants via their partners at Capital Letters.
Learn more about Croydon's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Ealing Council
Ealing empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, empty homes grant up to £15,000 are available from Ealing Council for landlords renovating long-term empty properties. This grant can cover a range of items including fixing damp and mould, electrics, thermal upgrades (including windows and doors) and repairing structural issues (instead of selling due to structural problems).
Ealing private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme, which lets owners lease properties to Ealing Council to provide housing for local residents in need. It includes guaranteed rent payments as well as upfront financial incentives of £500 per year of the lease.
Learn more about Ealing's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Enfield Council
Enfield empty homes grants: ✅ Yes it does look like Enfield Council have previously and may currently provide an empty home grant although it is not clear on their website how much this is for.
They also offer assistance to help refurbish the home with a full project management service and a rent-in-advance scheme.
Enfield private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme, which includes guaranteed rent, full property management a 10 year lease, making it appealing for landlords and property investors.
For landlords looking for support but do not wish to consider such a long lease, they also provide rental support services to help find tenants for landlords which includes 0% commission and up to £6,000 cash incentive depending on the size of the property being rented and the length of the tenancy.
Learn more about Enfield's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Greenwich empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, although not specifically for empty homes, Landlords in Greenwich can get a grant under the Landlord Home Improvement Grant. Details below.
Greenwich grants for landlords: ✅ Yes, Greenwich do provide grants for landlords including up to £15,000 for buy-to-let properties and up to £50,000 for HMO properties. This is with their Landlord Home Improvement Grant. This requires the landlord to then lease the property to Greenwich council for 3 years.
Greenwich private sector leasing scheme: ✅ Yes, Greenwich have a private sector lease scheme, which lets owners lease properties to families in need, with the council providing the rent and managing agents handling tenants.
They will guarantee the rent payments and will offer rent payable quarterly in advance. They may also provide a financial incentive depending on how long the lease is for.
Interestingly there Landlord Schemes accept properties anywhere in the UK, such is the need to find housing for their residents, so it is not limited to the Greenwich borough. So if you have a vacant property as a landlord it is worth getting in touch with the Greenwich Council here.
Learn more about Greenwich's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Hackney Council
Hackney empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Hackney through any local grant or loan funding.
Hackney grants for owner-occupiers: ✅ Yes, Hackney do provide grants for specifically for owner occupiers. This includes and external works grants (EWG) up to £5,000 and a general repairs grant (GRG) up to £20,000.
These are means tested grants meant to help residents in the most need and they must be owner-occupiers and live in their properties 3 years prior to applying.
The works can include items like roof repairs, guttering, brickwork, damp and even windows (helpful if you are considering installing new fensa windows to improve thermal efficiency).
Hackney grants for landlords: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no landlord grants in Hackney. Although they do have a landlord scheme that aims to help landlords find tenants, it provides this free of charge and the are looking for properties anywhere in the country. With this matchmaking service the do say they provide financial incentives but details on exact amounts and terms are limited on their website. You can see more about letting a property through Hackney Council here.
They are also looking to re-launch their Green Homes programme in the second quarter of 2025 which helps properties upgrade their energy efficiency with improvements to insulation, new modern boilers and solar panels and batteries.
Hackney private sector leasing scheme:❌ Unfortunately, Hackney does not offer a dedicated private sector leasing scheme.
Learn more about Hackney's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council
Hammersmith and Fulham empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Hammersmith and Fulham through any local grant or loan funding.
Hammersmith and Fulham private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme, which lets owners lease properties to families and residents in need, with the council providing guaranteed rent. This is for landlords looking to lease their properties for 3 years or more. They will also provide some additional financial incentives, although the amounts are specified on their website.
Haringey Council
Haringey empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Haringey through any local grant or loan funding.
Haringey private sector leasing scheme: ✅ Haringey Council do have a private sector lease scheme, which lets owners lease properties to the council for up to 3 years for a guaranteed rent and full managed service with no lettings commission. The council then use the properties to provide accommodation to local residents and to families in need.
Learn more about Haringey's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Learn more about Tottenham's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Harrow Council
Harrow Council empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, Harrow does provide empty home grants for landlords and has two options available.
The first is an Empty Property Grant up to £15,000, with a requirement to lease the property to the council for 3 years with their Help2Let scheme.
The second is a Repair to Lease Grant up to £10,000, with a requirement to lease the property to the council for 2 years with their Help2Let scheme.
The grants can be used to improve
- renewing a defective kitchen or bathroom
- renewing or repairing a hot water system
- rewiring
- damp proofing
- renewal of defective/damaged roofs
- repairing or renewing rotted windows and doors
- works to remedy category 1 hazards e.g. tripping hazards, excess cold.
Harrow private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme, which lets owners lease properties directly to the council. There are no lettings fees, Harrow council can provide rent in advance up to 3 months and provide a guaranteed rent and cover for any tenant damage.
Learn more about Harrow's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Havering Council
Havering empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, it does look like Havering council does provide some grant aid for landlords looking to bring empty homes back into use, but there is very little information on their website. On their landlord's accreditation page they say:
In addition, a landlord accredited under this scheme may be eligible for grant aid to bring an empty property back into use.
Havering private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Unfortunately, Hackney does not offer a dedicated private sector leasing scheme.
Learn more about Havering's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Learn more about Romford's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Hillingdon Council
Hillingdon empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Hillingdon through any local grant or loan funding.
They do, however, have a policy of purchasing empty homes from owners with their buy-back scheme.
Hillingdon private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Hillingdon Council do not look to currently have an active private sector leasing scheme, although they do have a Landlord Incentive Programme that helps connect landlords with suitable tenants. It does mention
In addition, we could offer you a generous incentive, dependant on the type of your property and its size, area, condition, length of tenancy and demand.
Although nothing specific to what the incentives are or a leasing term with guaranteed rent.
Hounslow Council
Hounslow empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Hounslow through any local grant or loan funding.
Hounslow private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme, which lets owners lease properties directly to the council.
This is for a minimum of 2 years, includes guaranteed rent, day to day management, no void periods and no agency fees.
Learn more about Hounslow's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Islington Council
Islington empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, it does look like Islington Council provides some funding for empty homes. On their empty homes website page they say:
The council can help with grants (subject to availability) and advice so that the property can produce an income for the owners and provide a much needed home for a family.
Although it doesn't state how much the grants are for or any further terms and conditions.
Islington private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Islington Council do not currently have an active private sector leasing scheme in place.
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Kensington and Chelsea empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Kensington and Chelsea through any local grant or loan funding.
Kensington and Chelsea private sector leasing scheme:❌ Kensington and Chelsea Council do not currently have an active private sector leasing scheme in place. They do offer a service to rent your property via Kensington and Chelsea Council where they can help you find tenants without any fees or commission, but it's not a leasing scheme with guaranteed rents or management.
Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, Kingston upon Thames Council do provide empty home grants for landlords up to £25,000.
There are some terms and conditions, including renting the property through the local council private leasing scheme for five years and setting the rent at the 'affordable' level.
Carry out specific works including windows, boilers, insulation and smoke alarms where required to get the property to the decent homes standard.
Kingston upon Thames grants for landlords: ✅ Yes, Kingston upon Thames Council does provide some additional grant funding for landlords (and owner-occupiers) including a home improvement grant or loan. This is a means-tested interest-free grant or loan, up to £10,000 to help fix major issues like structural repairs, excess cold from inefficient heating, damp and electrics.
Kingston upon Thames private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme, which lets owners lease properties to the council for one to three years with full management and a guaranteed rental income.
Lambeth Council
Lambeth empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Lambeth through any local grant or loan funding.
Lambeth private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Lambeth Council do not currently have an active private sector leasing scheme in place.
Learn more about Lambeth's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Lewisham Council
Lewisham empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, Lewisham Council do provide an empty home grant and a top up empty home loan.
The Lewisham empty home grant is up to £20,000 per unit and up to £60,000 per scheme. For studio flats, the grant will be capped at £9,000 per scheme. There are some terms and conditions, including the property must have been empty for more than 6 months, and offer nomination rights to the council on completion of works for a 5-year grant period.
The Lewisham empty property loan is up to £15,000 per unit and up to £60,00 per scheme. For studio flats the grant will be capped at £7,000 per unit. This loan is available as a top up to the grant and can include development works to convert commercial properties to residential.
Lewisham grants for landlords: ✅ Yes, Lewisham Council also provide a private landlord grant to help improve local properties and the standard of rented accommodation in the borough. This is up to a maximum of £4,000 for self-contained properties and £8,000 for licensed Houses of Multiple Occupation.
This grant can fund energy efficiency works, improvements to fire or building regulations, adding loft insulation, providing adequate kitchen and bathroom amenities and resolving any category 1 or 2 hazards to get the property to a decent homes standard.
Lewisham private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme, which lets owners lease properties to the council for a period of 3 to 9 years.
The council are looking for more homes to rent to homeless families in need of long term accommodation.
This includes full management, no void periods, no fees and guaranteed rent for the period of the lease.
Learn more about Lewisham's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Merton Council
Merton empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, Merton Council do provide an empty home grant up to £25,000 per unit. There are some terms including the property must have been empty for 6 months or more and you must lease the property to Merton Council for a period of 5 years.
Merton private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Merton Council do not currently have an active private sector leasing scheme in place.
Learn more about Merton's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Newham Council
Newham empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Newham through any local grant or loan funding.
Newham private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Newham Council do not currently have an active private sector leasing scheme in place.
Learn more about Newham's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Redbridge Council
Redbridge empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, Redbridge Council do provide empty home grants. There is limited information available on their website although they do confirm grants are available up to 50% of the cost of works with the maximum limit dependant on the number of bedrooms.
Redbridge private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme with a 3 to 5 year lease term. This includes full management via a lettings agent and guaranteed rent from Redbridge Council.
Learn more about Redbridge's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Richmond upon Thames Council
Richmond upon Thames empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, Richmond upon Thames Council do provide an empty home grant.
This covers up to £25,000 per property. Terms and conditions apply including the property to be granted 5 year nomination rights to the council at a rent which does not exceed the level supported by local housing allowance.
Richmond upon Thames private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme. There is limited details on their website, but they do confirm the lease is for three and a half years and includes guaranteed rent.
Southwark Council
Southwark empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, Southwark Council do provide an empty home grant. There are grants up to £40,000 if the landlord goes on to rent the property with the local councils letting schemes.
This includes
- Studio and 1 bedroom properties - 50% of costs up to a maximum of £20,000.
- 2 Bedroom properties - 50% of costs up to a maximum of £30,000.
- 3+ Bedroom properties - 50% of costs up to a maximum of £40,000.
There are also empty home loans available up to £70,000 for landlords that wish to rent the property privately post-works or owner occupiers who choose to live in it.
This includes
- Studio and 1 bedroom properties - 50% of costs up to a maximum of £40,000.
- 2 Bedroom properties - 50% of costs up to a maximum of £50,000.
- 3+ Bedroom properties - 50% of costs up to a maximum of £70,000.
Southwark private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme, which includes guaranteed rent, no fees, no void periods and a lease up to 5 years.
Sutton Council
Sutton empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Sutton through any local grant or loan funding.
Sutton private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme. As well as cash incentives to join the leasing scheme, Sutton council also provide a guaranteed rental income with no void periods, no fees and full management included.
Tower Hamlets Council
Tower Hamlets empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, it does look like Tower Hamlets provide empty home grants to registered landlords accredited with the London Landlords Accreditation Scheme (LLAS).
There is very little information on their website, however, in their private sector housing policy on page 5, they say:
Empty Property Grants may be made available to owners of properties that have been empty for at least 6 months, who wish to refurbish, demolish and rebuild their property or to convert it into a number of units and make it available for letting. The Empty Property Grant can contribute to the cost of the works needed to bring the home up to the decent homes standard and incorporate works to make the home safe, secure and affordable to keep warm.
A requirement of this is the owner would be required to rent the property for 3 to 5 years to a family nominated by the Tower Hamlets council.
Tower Hamlets grants for owner-occupiers: ✅ Yes, Tower Hamlets provides a Home Repair Grant for owner-occupiers. The grant is available up to £10,000 to pay for the cost of repairs to category 1 hazards in their home. Details are available on page 11 of the Tower Hamlets private sector housing policy.
Tower Hamlets private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Tower Hamlets Council do not currently have an active private sector leasing scheme in place.
Waltham Forest Council
Waltham Forest empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in Waltham Forest through any local grant or loan funding.
Waltham Forest private sector leasing scheme: ❌ Waltham Forest Council do not currently have an active private sector leasing scheme in place. Although they do provide some rental options for landlords with a letting service that includes financial incentives up to £6,000 for landlords that sign up to the scheme.
Learn more about Waltham Forest property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Wandsworth Council
Wandsworth empty homes grants: ✅ Yes, Wandsworth Council do provide an empty home grant up to £25,000 per unit. There are some terms including the property must have been empty for 6 months or more and you must lease the property to Wandsworth Council for a period of 5 years.
Wandsworth private sector leasing scheme: ✅ They have a private sector lease scheme. There is limited details on their website, but they do confirm the lease is for three and a half years and includes guaranteed rent.
Learn more about Wandsworth's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
City of Westminster
City of Westminster empty homes grants: ❌ Unfortunately, there are currently no empty homes grants available in the City of Westminster through any local grant or loan funding.
City of Westminster private sector leasing scheme: ❌ City of Westminster Council do not currently have an active private sector leasing scheme in place.
Learn more about City of Westminster's property market, rental yields and best buy-to-let areas in our detailed location review.
Empty & Derelict Homes Additional Support
There are some additional schemes that are worth looking at for both homeowners and developers working with run-down, derelict or simply long-term empty homes.
This includes
Reduced VAT
VAT is a big cost on traditional renovation work, increasing costs by 20%. When you considers a refurbishment can run in to the tens of thousands or even more for larger properties, this can be significant.
For long-term empty homes, builders can charge a reduced rate of VAT at only 5%. This is with the buildings and construction VAT notice 708. So make sure to share this with your refurbishment team if you are considering major works.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
This is a common cost for people buying properties. It can be significant and can be the difference between a buyer being able to purchase a particular home or not.
In the case of derelict homes. There are some, limited, occasions when SDLT may not be payable. There is specific criteria for this and the property needs to be deemed as derelict and uninhabitable. HMRC have provided some guidance on this here. You can also contact the SDLT team and ask to get clarity for your specific situation.
The aim here is to help provide solutions to help encourage empty, derelict and run-down homes back into use.
For more straightforward SDLT calculations you can see what the costs could be with our calculators
The Future (and History) of Empty Homes Grants
In September 2013 the Government provided funding via the Empty Homes Loan Fund, where loans were provided to homeowners to bring their properties back to a liveable standard. Yet, in August 2014, this was abolished due to a low take-up. Ever since then, the approach to empty homes seems to have changed from a carrot to a stick approach.
With newer government initiatives like doubling council tax on properties that have been empty for more than 12 months. This may seem like an easy win for councils, but the reality is homes stay empty not often out of choice but out of circumstances, personal and financial.
This isn't solved by increasing the burden on homeowners with extra costs.
In 2024, the number of long-term empty homes is reported as 265,061 in England, this is staggering.
When there are so many families and individuals in need of homes across the country, this is grim reading.
We all know of a building or development that looks awful or has become a burden to the community. In the UK, in the major cities and towns, we have a chronic shortage of housing, and the only way to tackle this successfully is in part by building new homes but also by turning derelict, vacant, run-down buildings back into habitable housing.
This is a win for everyone. It provides homes for local communities, creates work for local trades and ultimately improves the area.
Now you know which councils in London may be able to assist with funding support, there are different property tools you can use to identify run-down homes, and techniques to use property portals like Rightmove, to specifically find houses that need renovation.
We hope this guide can help you on your way to bringing vacant empty run-down homes in your community back in to use.
Please share it with others to help raise awareness for the available support councils and government can provide to property owners and communities.
Other Regions
For an insight into the solutions at local authority level across the country, below are reviews on what grants, funding and lease schemes are available in other regions to help owners bring these homes back into use for residents.