Empty Properties are a wasted resource that could provide much-needed homes. They can be an eyesore for local residents and cause other concerns.
Cornwall currently has a high housing need, with many pressures on the housing market.
In addition to planning for new housing development, we are working towards bringing empty properties back into residential use and helping to meet housing requirements. This also helps us continue to raise housing standards.
What can we do to help you?
We offer a range of help for owners of empty properties:
- Low cost loans scheme
- Letter of evidence for VAT savings
- Other advice about bringing empty properties back into habitable use.
This can be for:
- empty residential properties
- empty non-residential properties that have valid planning permission for the required change of use.
Report empty properties to us
If you live near or are affected by a long-term empty home, then please contact us to report it. We may already know about it and be taking action.
Bringing a long-term empty home back into use can take a long time, involving complex legal action. We will always try to keep residents up to date as a case progresses.
Money off Council Tax for empty homes
If your home is empty you may be able to get some money off your council tax or even an exemption
Empty property loan
We offer short term, low interest loans for properties that have been empty or unused for at least six months. (This product is now under review)
Read more on our empty property loan page.
VAT savings for empty properties
Information on VAT savings and council tax discounts for empty properties.
Responding to our letter
If we have written to you to ask if a property is empty, please let us know more about the property.