Because every home counts.
Did you know that in Scotland there are almost 44,500 homes lying empty? Of these, almost three quarters have been empty for 12 months or more. The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) are working closely with councils to bring these homes back into use and in doing so help combat the housing emergency.
The SEHP which is funded by the Scottish Government, is hosted by Shelter Scotland. The aim of the SEHP is to ensure that privately owned empty homes get brought back into use. In the current housing emergency in Scotland, with not enough social or affordable housing, it is imperative that homes that could be viable, yet remain vacant, can be utilised.
Glasgow’s Empty Homes
info@philwilkinson.net
Here in Glasgow, there are currently 3,009 empty homes (homes that have been empty for at least 6 months), of which 2,039 are long term empty (those that have been empty for 12 months or more). A home remaining empty over a lengthy period of time can be extremely stressful for the homeowner. The SEHP is there to offer advice to councils to help the homeowner, proactively offering assistance to people who are stressed by or struggling to deal with an empty home.
Homeowners can often feel that getting the property ‘up to scratch’ to sell is too costly, so the home remains vacant, with its condition worsening. Some of the properties might be inherited, with the new owners being overwhelmed. Owners can view the support available on the council’s empty homes page and reach out to the team for more personalised support.
Empty homes can also become an issue in the wider community. Vacant buildings can become the target of vandalism, become overgrown or become unsafe. For neighbours, this becomes extremely stressful. But the SEHP have a strategy which tackles the problem holistically.
New Legislation with Increase to Council Tax
From April 1, 2026, Scottish councils can increase council tax on second and long-term empty homes with no cap. The decisions regarding this sits with the local authorities, allowing for charges which could see rates increasing significantly – in some cases from double to triple council tax. It is hoped that the legislation encourages the occupation of properties.
The SEHP’s Five Objectives
In order to get empty homes back in use as affordable social housing, the SEHP aim –
- To effectively allocate funding and deliver projects on empty homes across Scotland.
- Increase the number of local authorities taking a strategic approach to bringing empty homes back into use.
- Produce guidance and tools to assist local authorities.
- Support the network of dedicated empty homes officers through the provision of training and best practice sharing.
- Run the Scottish Empty Homes Advice service and the National Matchmaker Service.
The National Matchmaker Service matches empty home owners with those wishing to buy an empty home. It’s not always easy to sell an empty home for a whole host of reasons. But with support for both seller and buyer, help is out there. Buying an empty home also has a positive social and environmental impact.
With an independent advice service, countless resources and a Matchmaking Service, The Scottish Empty Home Partnership is on a mission to make every empty home count. Funded by The Scottish Government and hosted by Shelter Scotland, these organisations have the conviction to tackle the Scottish housing emergency head on.
For advice, information and contacts regarding The Scottish Empty Home Partnership, visit –
