Conwy Council highlights help available to turn empty properties into homes

Conwy County Borough Council is highlighting the assistance available to owners of empty properties, including commercial premises, to bring them back into use for housing.

The local authority has around 1,700 households on its waiting list for all types of properties.

At any one time, the county has around 2,500 privately owned properties which are stood empty.

Many of these are temporarily empty and will come back into use within a few months.

But over 1,500 – the same as the number of homes in a town the size of Llanrwst – will remain empty for longer than six months and some for many years, whilst many households are struggling to find affordable accommodation in the area.

The council’s empty homes officers are encouraging empty property owners to get in touch to find out about the help that could be available to bring their empty properties back into use.

The council has an interest-free property improvement loan of up to £35,000 available for properties that have been empty for six months or more which need work to enable them to be sold or let at the end of refurbishment.

There are also grants of up to £20,000 available to help with the cost of necessary work to properties that have been empty for six months (or where someone is purchasing a property that has been empty for six months).

It is open to those who are willing to rent the property to people in housing need, at an affordable rate, for at least five years.

Leasing schemes are also available for empty properties. Grants range from £5,000 to £25,000 to complete works identified by the council, in exchange for a lease of the property.

During the lease period repairs and maintenance are covered, the rent is guaranteed and full management and support is provided to tenants.

The council said: “There is ongoing advice and support for landlords from the local authority too, with regular landlord forums.

“These are an ideal opportunity for landlords to find out about any schemes or funding that may available, changes in legislation, health and safety requirements, Rent Smart Wales obligations, energy efficiency, and to give general advice and good practice guidance on all aspects of renting property.”

For more information, property owners can visit the council website, or contact the council’s empty homes officers on 01492 574633 or 01492 574235 or emptyhomes@conwy.gov.uk