Empty residential properties

Empty homes lease and repair scheme

Bolton Council is introducing a new scheme aimed at bringing long‑term empty homes, which are currently in a state of disrepair, back into use as affordable temporary accommodation.

Through the scheme, the Council will work with property owners to return empty homes to use by offering financial assistance towards the cost of essential renovation works, enabling properties to be restored to an acceptable lettable standard.

On completion of works, the property will be leased to and fully managed by the Council for use as temporary accommodation for households experiencing homelessness.

If you would like to register your interest, please request an expression of interest form by emailing emptyhomes@bolton.gov.uk.

Once an expression of interest has been completed, we will assess the property and confirm the level of support that may be available to help bring the home back into use.

Please also refer to the eligibility criteria included within the Property Standards for Leasing Guidance.

If you need any further information, or wish to discuss further please contact emptyhomes@bolton.gov.uk 

For more information about our leasing scheme please see Private landlords – Bolton Council
 

Empty homes loan 

The loan is interest free and as the owner you are eligible to apply for up to £20,000. However, as a charge will be placed on the property you will need to obtain permission from the mortgage provider if there is still one in place.

Should the works on the house require more than £20,000, we would require you to provide the extra funding and this would have to be spent on the initial works before we make our contributions.

We will pay for an independent RICS surveyor to produce a full list of works required. We would then supply you with a schedule of works which you would use to obtain at least three quotes from contractors. One contractor would be selected for all the works and it would be up to the contractor if they wish to sub-contract any parts of the work out.

Once the loan agreement is signed, works can begin and the contractor will be paid in stages by us once an invoice is submitted.

When works are completed and checked, the final payment will be made to the contractor and the property is to be let out. We will expect to receive monthly repayments towards the loan and the amount of which to be paid will be discussed before the loan agreement is signed.

If you are interested in applying please contact housingstandards@bolton.gov.uk.