Scottish Government

ISBN 978 0 7559 7467 2 (Web only publication)
This document is also available in pdf format (588k)

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2 INTRODUCTION
The policy context
Aims and objectives
The Methodology
The Analytical Framework
The Report Structure

3 SETTING THE CONTEXT
Introduction
The scale of empty private homes in Scotland
Reasons why private homes lie empty
The ownership of empty private homes in Scotland
Empty private homes work in Scotland
Empty private homes work in England
Conclusion

4 DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC APPROACH
Examples of strategic development of empty private homes initiatives
A strategic framework
The Concordat and Local Housing Strategies

5 OBJECTIVES, PRIORITIES AND TARGET-SETTING
Objectives
Targeting
Conclusion

6 DATA COLLECTION
The Council Tax Register
Use of Council Tax data to identify individual properties
Other data-collection methods
Conclusion

7 ORGANISATION AND SUPPORT
Internal organisational arrangements
Staffing
Skills
In-house collaborative working
Local authority partnership working
Working with other agencies
External support models
Support Options for Scotland
Conclusion

8 A DUAL APPROACH TO BRINGING EMPTY HOMES INTO USE
The dual approach: working with owners
The dual approach: enforcement powers
Enforcement powers in Scotland
Enforcement powers in England and Wales
The EDMO
Enforced sale of an empty home
Conclusion

9 ENABLING POWERS FOR BRINGING EMPTY HOMES INTO USE
Bringing empty homes into the private rented sector
Voluntary transfer of ownership of properties
Financial incentives
Tax Incentives and tax penalties
Scheme of Assistance
Lead Tenancies and Rural Empty Property Grants
Number of units developed
Average length of lease available / agreement to make available for rent under scheme
Impacts and costs of Lead Tenancies and Rural Empty Property Grants
Conclusion

10 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Context
Prioritising work on empty private homes
Developing a strategic approach in Scotland ( Chapter 4)
Data Collection issues ( Chapter 6)
Organisation and support ( Chapter 7)
A dual approach ( Chapter 8)
Enabling mechanisms ( Chapter 9)
Other issues
Additional sources of funds ( Chapter 9)
Technical improvements ( Chapter 9)
Council Tax discount ( Chapter 6)
Links to supported lending ( Chapter 9)
State Aid ( Chapter 9)

ANNEX 1: THE CASE STUDY ORGANISATIONS

ANNEX 2: SELECTED CASE STUDY SUMMARIES
Case Study 1: The Empty Homes Agency
Case Study 2: The National Association of Empty Property Practitioners
Case Study 3: Manchester City Council
Case Study 4: The Newcastle City Council/Private Renting Service
Case Study 5: South Oxfordshire District Council
Case Study 6: Hounslow Borough Council
Case Study 8: North London Empty Property Initiative
Case Study 9: Kent County Council - 'No Use Empty' Initiative
Case Study 10: Devon Empty Homes Partnership

ANNEX 3 RESULTS OF ONLINE SURVEY

ANNEX 4 LIVING OVER THE SHOP

ANNEX 5: LEAD TENANCIES AND RURAL EMPTY PROPERTY GRANTS

ANNEX 6: STATE AID AND SUPPORT GIVEN TO BRING EMPTY PROPERTIES BACK INTO USE.

The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.