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0 percentInterest Free Housing Loans and Empty Homes Grants

The Vale of Glamorgan Council in partnership with Welsh Government is providing interest-free loans and Empty Homes Grants to improve poor quality housing across the Vale of Glamorgan.

The Council are offering interest free housing loans. Loans are available to assist owner occupiers with essential repairs, bring long term empty properties into use and assist landlords/developers to convert empty buildings into residential units.  Empty Homes Grants are now also available to assist with the cost of making a property safe and secure before moving into a property.

 

Empty Homes banner

 

Paintbrush iconEmpty 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

Dripping tap iconEmpty 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

Pencil and spanner iconOwner-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:

 

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 Nest scheme

The Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme has changed. From 1 April 2024, the scheme has a greater focus on low carbon technologies for the home, to support Welsh Government's ambition to make Wales net zero by 2050. We offer all households in Wales free, impartial advice on saving energy and water, income maximisation, and lowering your carbon footprint. If eligible, we also provide a tailored package of free home energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, a heat pump, solar panels, or central heating.

 

Call freephone 0808 808 2244 or visit the website gov.wales/nest

Nest logo

 

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 

 

 

Contact us

Should you wish to find out more information about the loan schemes or to receive an application pack please complete an online form or contact:

 

Eleri Nicholas, Empty Homes and Loans Officer 

Regeneration and Planning

Vale of Glamorgan Council

Dock Offices

Subway Road

Barry

CF63 4RT