FOI Request - Empty Domestic Properties

Request 101003874196

1.  A list of domestic properties within the [Council name] area that have been recorded by the council as empty (unoccupied and substantially unfurnished) for a continuous period of 6 months or more, for the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024. Please include: address (uprn if available), date first recorded as empty, current status (e.g., owner contact attempted, enforcement action, subject to sale), and whether the property appears on any council priority/empty-homes register.

2.  Copies of any policies, guidance or internal criteria used to decide whether an empty-homes record is published publicly or withheld.

3.  Copies of any relevant public-interest or s31 (prejudice to law enforcement) assessments, redaction logs, or reasons the council relied on when deciding to withhold or redact empty-homes addresses in the last 24 months.

Response 20-11-2025

1. Disclosing the addresses of empty residential properties could increase the risk of criminal activity being targeted at those houses. This information is therefore exempt under section 35(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) 2002; prejudice to the prevention or detection of crime. It is not considered in the public interest to release this information and it is deemed that there is a risk of substantial prejudice to the prevention of crime if this information were to be released.

2.& 3. Not held. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.

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