Caithnessians urged to help fill empty homes
RESIDENTS in Caithness are being invited to report empty homes as part of a nationwide bid to bring houses back into use.
A free helpline has been set up to make it easier for people to report vacant properties and for owners to receive help to bring them back into use.
Set up by the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, run by housing charity Shelter Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government, the service also offers access to a free “matchmaker” service to make it easier for potential buyers to pinpoint empty properties whose owners are willing to sell. The process has been simplified with one central helpline.
There are an estimated 27,000 long-term private empty homes across Scotland.
Kristen Hubert of the empty homes partnership, said: “We encourage people to call the helpline if they know of a long-term empty home in their area, or if they own an empty property.
“Bringing empty homes back into use has many benefits, and while this alone won’t solve Scotland’s housing crisis, it can be part of the solution.”
In September, Highland Council reported that 390 applicants are waiting for accommodation after naming a Caithness settlement as their first choice. Eight houses in east Caithness have remained empty for at least a year, with 17 properties described as attracting low demand.
The time it takes to re-let housing is also a concern for council officials, with the average time taken to find new tenants for a vacated property standing at 71 days.
To report an empty home, get advice if you are the owner or register interest in buying an empty property, call 0344 515 1941.