Housing Options Guide 4b
4b. Empty homes
According to the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, there are around 43,000 long-term empty properties in Scotland. Homes become empty for many reasons. It could be that the property is difficult to let or sell, and the owner needs help to bring it up to standard. Empty homes are at a higher risk of vandalism, crime, and damage from the weather. The longer a home is empty, the less valuable it becomes, and this can have an effect on neighbouring properties and the community in general.
Report an empty home
The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership is funded by the Scottish Government and hosted by Shelter Scotland. Their aim is to bring privately owned empty homes back into use. One of the ways they hope to achieve this is to encourage every council in Scotland to have a dedicated Empty Homes Officer. This officer would be able to provide advice and information on a range of issues related to empty homes.
If you are aware of an empty home in your community you can report it to our Empty Homes Officer by phoning 0300 1234 566 or by emailing emptyhomes@moray.gov.uk.
You can also report it to the Scottish Empty Homes Advice Service by phoning 0344 515 1941 between 10am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday, or by emailing emptyhomes@shelter.org.uk.
Advice for owners
Empty homes cost money and are a wasted resource at a time when more homes are needed. You can find out the cost of your empty home by using the calculator on the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership website. By bringing your home back into use you could increase your income by selling or renting the property. You will also increase the value of the property and reduce the risk of it falling into disrepair or being vandalised.
If you own an empty home and need advice on renovation and bringing it back into use, we can help. Read our dedicated page on Empty Homes for more information on the range of advice and assistance we can provide. You can also find out about the housing standards that apply to private and social sector homes.
Shelter Scotland also provide advice about bringing empty homes back into use.
Tax incentives
When you carry out work on an existing building, Value Added Tax (VAT) is usually charged at the standard rate of 20%. However, in some circumstances, you may qualify for a reduced rate on certain types of work needed to bring a property back into use. This only applies if you are renovating residential properties that have been empty for at least two years.
More information is available at HM Revenue and Customs.
Council Tax charge on empty properties
The Scottish Government introduced legislation in 2013 which allowed local authorities to increase the level of council tax payable on long-term empty properties. The aim of this was to encourage property owners to bring their empty homes back into use. This would increase housing supply for those in need, and reduce the problems associated with empty properties falling into disrepair.
You can read more about this on our Council Tax Levy page. This page details how Moray Council have made use of their statutory powers, and provides information on relief from the council tax levy from 1 April 2016.
If you have any questions or want to know if you can claim relief on the council tax charges for empty properties, contact our Revenues team by emailing revenues@moray.gov.uk.