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We encourage use of empty homes to meet housing need within the Borough. To help owners, we offer advice. If your property needs works to eliminate a serious hazard you may be able to get a empty home loan to help prepare it for occupation.
Empty homes are a waste. Returning them to use benefits communities in many ways:
Benefits to a home owner include:
We are identifying long term empty properties in the area so that we can offer their owners advice and support to bring them back to use. It need not even be an empty house – buildings can be converted and flats created from vacant space above shops. Our empty property co-ordinator can provide advice to owners on options available and information on lettings and getting financial help. In some circumstances this can include providing an interest free loan to carry out essential works to your property.
If you are the owner of empty property and are not sure how to bring it back into use, please contact us for advice. We can arrange to meet you or your agent to carry out an inspection and discuss options. We do not charge for this service and you have no obligation to take any of the options discussed.
Options for bringing property back into use include:
An interest free loan is available if an owner agrees to lease the property to the Council for the time the loan is outstanding. We consider applications for empty property home improvement loans for properties that have been vacant for six months or more and need work to be suitable for occupation.
A loan will be considered:
Under the Housing Act 2004 local authorities can consider using empty dwelling management orders to take over management of a property. This can be carried out by us or passed on to a managing agent. If you own an empty property and wish to discuss this, please contact us on 01329 236100 or e-mail customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk