No use empty

Empty houses are wasted homes, so we are working with local property owners to bring empty property back into use for the benefit of our communities.

If you own an empty property

There are many reasons why you might end up owning an empty property, such as the death of a relative or ongoing issues with a refurbishment project.

We understand that knowing how to deal with an empty property can be overwhelming, but it’s important to act. Empty properties deteriorate and lose value, and they also encourage crime and antisocial behaviour.

200% Council Tax will be charged on properties that have been empty for between one and five years. 300% Council Tax will be charged on properties that have been empty for five years, and 400% on properties that have been empty for ten years or more.

Learn more by watching our video

Get financial assistance

Empty property financial assistance will be available, subject to budget availability, for renovation works or other works which help bring the property back into use. 

The assistance will be delivered via two schemes: 

• Lendology CIC Empty Property Loans
• Empty Property Small Works Grants 

Empty Property Loans (Via Lendology CIC)

You must be aware of the following important information:

• only eligible works agreed by the Empty Property Officer will be funded
• any costs exceeding the loan must be covered by you
• the contract for works is strictly between you and your contractor and not between you and us.

Empty Property Loans step-by-step

1. Register your interest

   Contact the Empty Property Officer or Lendology CIC to express interest in applying for a loan.

2. Property eligibility check

   The Empty Property Officer will check that your property is confirmed as empty for at least six months according to Council Tax records.

3. Initial Financial Assessment

   Lendology CIC will carry out standard financial checks to make sure the loan is affordable and suitable for you.

   If you are eligible, Lendology will provide a loan agreement in principle with a maximum loan amount and repayment terms.

4. Site meeting and eligible works

   A meeting is arranged at the property with the Empty Property Officer following receipt of the loan agreement in principle.

   The Eligible Works to be covered by the loan is agreed upon to bring the property back into use.

   • The Empty Property Officer has the final say on what works are eligible.

5. Specification and quotes

   We advise you obtain a specification from a surveyor or architect. The specification may include additional works beyond those eligible for the loan.

   Upload two quotes from different builders for each of the agreed Eligible Works securely to the Lendology portal using the link on the loan agreement in principle email.

   Your quotes and loan request will be automatically shared with the Empty Property Officer for review.

6. Confirmation of Planned Works (COPWs)

   Once your quotes have been reviewed, the Empty Property Officer will confirm the quotes are valid and eligible for loan funding.

   The Empty Property Officer will then authorise Lendology to progress your application to the loan setup stage.

7. Final loan application

   You are referred back to Lendology CIC for loan underwriting and if approved, to complete the loan paperwork.

   Lendology will notify you and the Empty Property Officer once the loan is approved.

   Do not begin any work until Lendology confirms your loan is approved. Starting work early may result in your loan being rejected.

8. Work commencement and stage payments

   Once your loan is approved, work can begin.

   Interim loan payments can be made as works progress. The agreed loan can be part-released upfront if approved and in stages but drawdowns must be approved by the Empty Property Officer.

9. Completion and inspection

   You must notify the Empty Property Officer when work is complete and submit completion photos at the end of each phase if a staged draw down is required.

   You must submit contractor invoices for verification against the original quotes.

   A completion inspection will be carried out by the Empty Property Officer when all works are complete, and the property is ready to occupy.

10. Loan drawdown

    Following the completion inspection, or receipt of completion photos and contractor invoices for staged loan payments, the Empty Property Officer sends a loan drawdown request to Lendology.

    Lendology releases payment to the contractor or to you, as agreed.

Small Works Grants for empty properties

• The grant minimum is £25, and the maximum amount is £500.
• The grants are to finance small works that will help bring the property back into residential use. Grants are available to owners of properties classified as empty under the Empty Property Policy.
• One grant can be claimed per empty property per financial year. More than one grant can be applied for during the same financial year at the discretion of the Empty Property Officer up to two grants per applicant.
• Eligible works to be covered by the grant must be agreed in advance by the Empty Property Officer following a pre work inspection.
• The grants are conditional, and we would seek to recover the grant, if the claimant fails to adhere to the terms or fails to bring the property back into residential use within 12 months.

Examples of eligible works are:

• Clearance of house or garden
• Gas Safety Certificate
• Electrical Safety Certificate
• Installation of hard-wired fire alarm system
• Works to remedy Category One hazards
• Payment of eligible fees, such as planning or architect fees

Works must be completed three months after the grant is approved.

Small works grants step-by-step

1. Registering an asset

   Contact the Empty Property Officer to let them know you’re interested in applying for the grant.

2. Check Property Eligibility

   Your property must have been empty for at least 6 months, as confirmed by Council Tax records. The Empty Property Officer will verify this.

3. Notification of Understand What Works Are Eligible
   • The grant covers small, standalone jobs (not cosmetic) that help make the property saleable or rentable.
   • The works must cost between £25 and £500.
   • The Empty Property Officer will confirm which works are eligible.

4. Submit Your Application

   Only the property owner or someone legally acting on their behalf can apply.

   Here’s what happens:

   1. The Empty Property Officer will arrange a site visit and take before photos (if needed).
   2. You’ll receive an application form specifying the agreed eligible works.
   3. Submit the completed form along with:
      • A valid estimate from a recognised contractor.
      • If the contractor is unknown to the Council, include proof of trading status.
      • DIY work is not eligible.
   4. If approved, you’ll receive an Approval Letter confirming the grant amount.
   5. Once approved, you can instruct your contractor to begin the work.

5. After Works Are Completed

   Send the following to the Empty Property Officer:

   • The signed Completion Form (found at the back of the application form).
   • Completion photos.
   • A valid invoice matching the original estimate.
   • Any certificates or guarantees.
   • Email these to: empty_properties@bathnes.gov.uk send your bank details for payment.

   • Grant Payment

     Payment will be made to you, or if agreed, directly to the contractor.

Do not begin any work until you receive the Grant Approval Letter. Starting early will result in grant rejection.

Important notes

• Only works agreed by the Empty Property Officer will be funded
• Any costs above the grant must be paid by you
• The contract is between you and your contractor, not the Council
• Grants are subject to budget availability
• Works must be completed within 3 months of approval
• You must make reasonable efforts to bring the property back into use within one year
• The Council may reclaim the grant if this condition is not met
• By signing the application, you agree to repay the grant if requested in writing.

Requirements and conditions

• To apply for an Empty Property Loan the applicant must own the empty property or have a secure legal interest for a period of at least 60yrs. Proof of title and consent of all owners will be required by Lendology.
• Grants can be applied for by the liable party as per our Tax record for the empty property.
• To be eligible for either the loan and/or a grant the property must have been empty for 6 months and over, as defined by the Empty Residential Property Policy.
• A valid application must be made.

About the works

• Estimates for the cost of the works are required, prior to approval. For loans two estimates will be required and for grants only one estimate is required, unless otherwise directed by the Empty Property Officer.
• Any costs for eligible works that come in over and above the maximum or agreed loan or grant amount will be met by the loan or grant applicant.
• Funding is only available for the cost of works started after the approval of assistance. Completed or started works cannot be paid for retrospectively with the loan or grant.
• Loans can be used to cover the cost of energy efficiency improvements, where the minimum EPC standard is required for occupying the property.
   

Payment of works

• Interim loan payments can be made as works progress, the agreed loan amount can be split into more than one smaller loan which will be approved upfront in agreed amounts, in accordance with financial rules administered by Lendology CIC.
• Payments can be made to the applicant or directly to the contractor(s) with the client’s authority following submission of an acceptable invoice including any professional fees.  All works must be completed to our satisfaction.
   

Loan Repayment Conditions

The repayment conditions of Empty Property Loans are agreed by the Empty Property Officer in consultation with Lendology. This done on a case-by-case basis, dependant on the proposed end use for the property as detailed below: 

• Owner occupier – 5-year maximum term repayment period, with one-year deferred payment option at the start.
• Private rented sector – 5-year maximum term repayment period with one-year deferred payment option at the start.<
• Open market sale – 3-year maximum term repayment period with one-year deferred payment option at the start.
• Affordable/social housing - 10-year maximum repayment period with one-year deferred payment option at the start.

Budget

Financial assistance is subject to available funding. Indicative amounts at time of writing are as follows:

• Empty Property Loan Fund (Let/sold): £100,000 until exhausted.  After which the amount available will be reviewed.  Available where property will be let or sold.  
• Empty Property Loan Fund (Owner-occupied): Funding through Decent Homes lending Pot where funds available having regard to other demands.
• Small Works Grants: £5,000 per annum until exhausted.

Find out more and apply for a grant or loan

For more information on the terms and conditions on the Empty Property loans please visit Lendology, a provider of home improvement loans for homeowners funded by local councils. 

To apply for an Empty Property Loan, contact the Empty Property Officer.

Our Empty Property Officer can help you deal with your empty property in a way that works for you.

We can help you in the following ways:

• Provide financial assistance with low-cost loans up to £30,000
• Offer small works grants for jobs up to £500
• Provide tailored support for bringing your property back into use
• Provide advice on your legal responsibilities as the owner to help you avoid reinforcement action
• Facilitate VAT relief or exemptions on contracted works

If you would like our help in dealing with your empty property, please contact our Empty Property Officer on 01225 39 64 11 or email empty_properties@bathnes.gov.uk

Help us prevent empty properties in our community

If you're aware of, or you own an empty property, use the following suggestions to find out how you can help us prevent empty homes negatively impacting our community.

Report an empty property

If you are aware of an empty property impacting on the community, please report it.

Watch our video to find more information on reporting an empty property,

Offer a room or home to refugees

We are running schemes to provide housing for refugees. These schemes also offer financial incentives and support to landlords.

If you own an empty home and you would like to bring it back into use to help refugees, please contact our Empty Property Officer on 01225 39 64 11 or email empty_properties@bathnes.gov.uk

Register your interest

If you are interested in offering an empty home through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, please visit the GOV.UK web page on Homes for Ukraine

Get help to improve an empty property's energy efficiency

If you wish to rent out your empty property once refurbished

If you are hoping to refurbish an empty property with a view to renting it out, Lendology Empty Property Loans can be used to complete energy efficiency improvements in order to obtain an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate).

Loans of up to £30,000 are available. Watch the video to find out more

If you wish to live in your empty property once refurbished

Energy at Home provides information and useful resources on energy-related home improvements, grants and loan schemes for Bath & North East Somerset residents.

Retrofitting listed buildings

Level 0 Pre-App Advice 

If you own an empty listed property and need planning advice on energy efficiency for your listed building but don't know where to start, we offer a Level 0 pre-application service at a fixed low fee. You will have the chance to discuss retrofit options with a Conservation Officer and look at the heritage considerations of different energy efficiency measures. You can find out more by visiting our Green Heritage Homes webpage.

Read the Empty Residential Property Policy

Our Empty Residential Property Policy explains how we bring properties back into use by providing owners with advice and guidance, financial assistance and by taking legal action.

Contact our Empty Property Officer

If you need more information or guidance, please contact Debbie Freeman, our Empty Property Officer. on 01225 39 64 11 or email empty_properties@bathnes.gov.uk