Empty homes
Empty properties are a wasted resource, they cost money to tax
and maintain and represent a considerable amount of lost rental
income. There are various schemes and grants available
to owners of empty properties to encourage them to return
these to use.
- Tenants and management
- Short life housing
- VAT reductions
- Flats over shops
- Empty Homes Agency
Short life housing
If you have a property that is awaiting development or
investment you might want to consider short life as an alternative
way of using the property. This will provide tenants to occupy the
property for a short length of time (not less than six months) and
will guarantee vacant possession at short notice. The advantage of
having short life tenants in a property is that they will deter
squatters and vandalism and will undertake basic repairs and
maintenance to ensure that the fabric of the building remains
intact.
VAT reductions
If your property has been empty for two years or over you will
be able to claim a VAT reduction on the cost of refurbishment. VAT
will be charged at a rate of five per cent instead of 17.5 per
cent, renovation works to properties empty for over 10 years will
be zero rated. HM Customs and Excise will accept a letter from an
empty property officer as proof that the property has been empty
for the requisite amount of time.
Flats over shops
This is a scheme to enable property owners and occupiers to
claim up-front tax relief on the whole of their capital spending on
the renovation or conversion of vacant or underused space above
shops and commercial premises to provide flats for rent. Further
details can be obtained from the Environmental Health Line 020 7361
3002
Empty Homes Agency
The Empty Homes Agency is an independent campaigning charity
which exists to highlight the waste of empty property in England.
It works with others to devise and promote sustainable solutions to
bring empty property back into use.
For further information about the issue of empty homes in London
and the UK please visit the Empty Homes Agency
website(opens in a new window).
Contact us
Grants and Empty Properties - contact Environmental Health
Telephone 020 7361 3002
email: Environmentalhealth@rbkc.gov.uk