Interest Free Housing Loans and Empty Homes Grants

Empty Property Landlord Loan

Loans are available to assist owners to carry out repairs or improvements to enable the property to be occupied. The loan will be available for owners who wish to sell or rent out the property. Loans can be used for work on residential properties or commercial buildings, which can include splitting a property into flats. Properties must be empty for a minimum of 6 months.

Empty property owners, charities, businesses and property developers can apply for an interest free loan. Applicants can apply for a loan up to £35,000 per unit, with a maximum of £250,000 per applicant. Loans will be repayable over 2 years if the property is sold, or 5 years if the property is let.

Empty Property Landlord Loan - Frequently Asked Questions

Empty Property Owner-Occupier Loan

These loans are available to owners who wish to occupy an empty property. The loan can be used to undertake repairs to enable an owner of an empty property to occupy it on completion of the work.  Work can include replacement of central heating boilers, repairs to electrics, work to remedy damp.

Applicants are able to apply for interest free loans of between £1,000 and £35,000, which will be repayable over a period of up to 5 years.

Empty Property Owner-Occupier Loan - Frequently Asked Questions

Owner-Occupier Loan (Home Improvement)

These loans are available to assist owners currently occupying the home to undertake essential repairs to make it safe, warm and secure. Work can include replacement of central heating systems, repairs to electrics, repairs to remedy damp, renewal of defective windows and doors.

Applicants are able to apply for interest free loans of between £1,000 and £35,000, which will be repayable over a period of 5-10 years. 

Owner-Occupier Loan - Frequently Asked Questions

National Empty Homes Grant Scheme 

• Do you own a property that is currently empty? 

• Do you need help making it safe and secure before you move in?

• Are you thinking about buying an empty property to live in, but you will need help to bring it back into use? 

If yes to either of these questions and the property has been empty for 12 months or more, you could be eligibile for a grant of up to £25,000 to help bring your property back to life and improve its energy efficiency. 

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is the Lead Local Authority for the National Empty Homes Grants Scheme and are delivering the grants on behalf of Welsh Local Authorities including the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

To enquire, please contact Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council:

• 01443 494712
• EmptyHomesGrant@rctcbc.gov.uk

Please note, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is the main Data Controller for the personal data processed for the purposes of the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme.  However, some of the data will also be processed by the Vale of Glamorgan Council to facilitate the Scheme.

Please find links to the Privacy Notices below:

VAT Relief on Empty Properties

Bringing empty properties back into use can be costly particularly when extensive renovations are required. However, the Government has introduced a number of tax changes, which could potentially reduce costs. 

Additional information

There will be a loan application fee and you will be required to demonstrate your ability to repay the loan within a set period of time. All loans will be secured on the property and will take into account an existing mortgage. The mortgage and / or the loan cannot exceed 80 per cent of the property’s value. Loans are not available for general improvements or to extend an existing property. 

Welsh Government Warm Homes

Welsh Government Warm Homes, which includes the Nest scheme, looks to support people in Wales living on a lower income who receive a means tested benefit or live with a respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition.

Nest offers a range of free, impartial advice and, if you are eligible, a package of free home energy efficiency improvements such as a new boiler, central heating or insulation. This can lower your energy bills and benefit your health and wellbeing.

If you would like to know more about the Nest scheme and to see if you qualify, call Freephone 0808 808 2244 or visit nest.gov.wales

ECO4 Scheme (Energy Company Obligation including ECO4 Flex)

ECO4 is the latest Energy Company Obligation scheme administered by OFGEM. The Vale of Glamorgan Council is working in partnership with Cardiff Capital Region and E.ON to support households in poorly insulated homes, making those households more energy efficient and helping lessen the impact of rising energy bills.  

This Statement of Intent sets out the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s flexible eligibility criteria for ECO4 Flex from 19 May 2023 to the end of March 2026. 

For further information: EC04 E.ON Information Document 

• 0333 202 4422
• eoncommunityprojects@eonenergy.com
• eonenergy.com