Grant scheme sees empty house brought back to life
A HOUSE in Loughborough which was empty for over three years has received an £8,000 grant to help bring it back into use.
The owner of the property contacted Charnwood Borough Council for help with renovating the three-bedroom property which had been vacant since January 2016.
The Council supported the owner through its partnership grants scheme. The scheme offers grants to fund renovation works and will cover 50 per cent of the cost of the work up to a maximum of £15,000 to bring empty homes back into use.
In return for the grant, the council can nominate people in housing need to become tenants for 2-3 years in these renovated properties.
Coun Paul Mercer, lead member for housing said: “I am pleased to see another empty home being bought back into use in the borough.
“The council is committed to getting empty homes back on the market and one of the ways we can do this is to offer funding through our partnership grants scheme to part-fund renovations.
“It’s important we keep encouraging property owners in Charnwood to bring their empty properties back into use. Not only does it help ease the pressure of the local housing market, but it also ensures properties don’t become a concern for the community.”
The grant was used towards funding a new bathroom and kitchen, central heating system, repairs to the roof and new windows and doors at the property.
Miss Smita Patel, owner of the property said: “I’d like to thank the council’s empty homes officer Muhammad Uddin for all of the support he provided throughout the process. In particular, the advice and information he offered when I was applying for the grant.
“I’d encourage owners who would like to get their empty house back into use to contact the Council to see what support is available.”
The council helps get empty homes back into use by offering advice and support on what’s best for the property including finding tenants and getting access to discounted selling fees with local agents and auctioneers.
Since April 2016, the council says it has helped get 143 empty homes in the borough back into use.
For more information about the support available for owners of empty properties, or to report an empty home visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/empty_properties
To apply for a grant, contact the council’s empty homes officer Muhammad Uddin on 01509 634651.