Empty homes

An empty home is a property which has been unoccupied for six months or more. It is not a second, or holiday, home. There are over 800 empty homes in North Ayrshire.

The reasons for empty homes are varied, they include:

• homes bought as a development opportunity
• inherited property
• issues with selling or renting
• financial problems

Empty homes falling into disrepair, makes future use less likely and can have a detrimental impact on communities.

Report an empty home

If you think that a property has been empty for six months or more, contact us.

Empty homes loan fund

If you own an empty home that needs to be repaired before someone can live in it, we may be able to help. The council offers interest free loans of between £2,000 and £15,000 to help owners bring their empty homes back into use. Once the repairs are done, your property would have to be sold (within set price limits) or rented.

If you choose to sell your home, you must sell it within one year of the loan being paid to you. The loan must be repaid when your home is sold. If it is not sold within a year, it must be rented (and the loan repaid in monthly payments).

Empty home buy backs

In rare circumstances, we may consider the purchase of empty homes in areas of high demand for rental properties. To be considered, properties:

• must have been empty for at least six months
• could be reasonably brought up to the letting standard as well as maintained to statutory standards

Matchmaker scheme

A free scheme that matches people who own empty properties with people who would like to invest. It aims to match owners of empty homes, who wish to sell their property, with people who want to buy in the area. If you are interested, or to arrange a visit, contact us.

Matchmaker code of conduct

The code of conduct applies to all parties on the matchmaker scheme. The scheme promotes a suitable and satisfactory outcome for all parties. At all times communications and negotiations between parties must be:

• respectful
• honest
• reasonable

You must ensure that no action or omission on your part has an adverse effect on the interests of the scheme. Failure to meet the standards and requirements may result in removal from the scheme at the council’s discretion.