Empty homes are a problem for councils, would-be tenants and communities as a whole, as they remove potential housing stock from the market, make communities feel unloved and lead to a rise in anti-social behaviour. But many people don’t realise that some councils offer grants for people who want to renovate empty homes. And one council has even increased the amount of grant funding available to incentivise applications to the fund.
What Are the Changes?
With home renovations Burford from providers such as https://precisionbuildersltd.co.uk/services/home-renovations/burford/ sometimes necessary but short of funding, councils are looking at ways to bring their housing stock into better condition. So Gwynedd council has updated its grant scheme as part of a broader effort to bring empty homes in the county back into use and ready for local people.
What Is the Grant Now?
The new grant amount available through Gwynedd’s Empty Homes Grants Scheme will be increased to £25,000 from £20,000. The income threshold has also been adjusted. It was previously set at £60,000 per household, but it will now be set at £60,000 per individual or £80,000 per couple. This is to recognise the fact that wages have increased over time, and to encourage more applicants.
Eligibility Changes
The way that eligibility is determined has also been adjusted. Rather than using the property’s cost as the valuation, the new system will instead focus on council tax bands. This means that homes in the area in council tax bands A-D will now be eligible for the grant if they are sitting empty.
