National Empty Homes Week: Bringing Empty Properties Back to Life
During last week’s National Empty Homes Week (Monday 3 March to Sunday 9 March), Cotswold District Council highlighted the vital work being done to bring long-term empty properties back into use.
In January 2025, the Council identified 70 empty homes in the district and helped to bring 49 back to life.
Empty homes can be a blight on local communities, attracting anti-social behaviour and becoming a drain on public services. By working with property owners, the council plays a crucial role in restoring these properties, increasing the supply of quality, affordable homes.
One identified property was an abandoned cottage overgrown with vegetation. Following a complex investigation, the Council’s Empty Homes Coordinator traced the owner to inform them of the Empty Homes Premium applied to the property’s council tax. As a result, the owner decided to put the cottage on the market where it was quickly purchased by a buyer committed to restoration.
The new owner was able to take advantage of the VAT reduction available for properties that have been empty for over two years, —a benefit they learned about through the council’s Empty Homes information service.
Expressing their appreciation, the owner said, “It was very good to be able to discuss the issues regarding the cottage on the phone and thank you for taking the time to give me a call. Many thanks for your assistance and advice so far.”
Local residents have also welcomed the news that the long-abandoned property will soon be lived in once again.
This case is just one of many where the Council’s proactive approach to tackling empty homes has made a real difference. The Empty Homes Strategy 2024-2029 outlines four key objectives:
- To gather relevant, accurate and current information about empty homes in the district.
- To provide advice, assistance and guidance to landlords and property owner.
- To raise awareness of empty homes in the district and promote the strategy.
- To reduce the number of empty homes and return empty homes back into use, through all available and appropriate means.
The Council’s Empty Homes Coordinator works with homeowners struggling to return properties to use due to financial difficulties, rising construction costs, and contractor shortages. They help homeowners understand their options, from accessing financial incentives to exploring potential sales.
Cllr Mike Evemy, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for finance and transformation, said, “Bringing empty homes back into use is a key priority for the council. Not only does it help address housing shortages, but it also revitalises communities and supports the local economy. The work of our Empty Homes Coordinator has already made a significant impact, and we encourage any homeowners struggling with an empty property to get in touch and explore the support available.”
National Empty Homes Week is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of tackling long-term empty properties and the help available to owners. If you own an empty home or know of a property that has been vacant for a long time, contact the council’s Empty Homes team for advice and support. Please get in touch via emptyhomes@publicagroup.uk.