Scottish Empty Homes Conference 2024
The 13th Scottish Empty Homes Conference took place on Thursday, 29 February 2024 at The Studio, in Glasgow, sponsored by Scottish property experts and auctioneers Auction House Scotland.
Learning from the Past, Visions for the Future
We explored past learnings and visions for the future – looking at what collective work has been carried out to date, the current status and how together we can use empty homes work to reach our shared goals of tackling the housing emergency, and meeting affordable and social housing need.
The event included presentations from key figures in Scottish housing and project case studies, as well as the Auction House Scotland Scottish Empty Homes Awards.
Awards
This year, for the first time ever, the Scottish Empty Homes Awards has launched a dedicated category open to members of the public who have turned an empty home in Scotland back into a home.
Now in its thirteenth year, the network of Empty Homes Officers and partners across Scotland with the support of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership have helped to bring more than 9,000 empty homes back into use since 2010. The annual awards recognise and celebrate this outstanding work, the achievements and dedication of individuals and organisations in revitalising empty homes across Scotland, transforming empty spaces into thriving places.
Anybody involved in bringing back empty homes was invited to nominate an individual (or themselves!), an organisation, or a project that they consider having made an exceptional impact in returning empty homes to use.
This year's categories are below:
Best Use of Empty Homes to Meet Social/Affordable Housing Need
Has bringing an empty home back into use met a particular housing need in your area? We would be delighted to hear about projects where existing properties have played a valuable part in meeting social or affordable housing need in your region. Of particular interest is the impact of the home to the individual or family who have been, or will be housed, and the wider community.
Winner - Grampian Housing Association
This property was a Ballater C listed school building dating back to 1877, in need of extensive repairs. Ballater is an area with a severe lack of properties to rent, a high number of second homes, and a long waiting list for council housing. Grampian Housing Association carried out a sustainable redevelopment and adopted a partnership approach, teaming up with Aberdeenshire Council and Scottish Government to fund the repairs. As a result of this project, 24 social rented homes were delivered to help address local housing need. 12 houses were developed from the historical buildings, alongside 11 new build flats and one bungalow. This project implemented a local letting plan to make sure it served people in the local community and has had a positive impact on the economy and community as a whole.
LAR Housing Trust, St. Kentigerns Church
St. Kentigerns Church had previously been empty for several years and was originally designed by John More Peddie in the 19th century. This property gained a notorious reputation following a police raid that uncovered a cannabis farm. The church had fallen into disrepair and became a local eyesore and site of anti-social behaviour. LAR led this project with a focus on sustainability and worked to retain original materials where possible. As a result, the church was converted to four homes and a block with ten flats was built directly next to it. This project showcases a marriage between carbon capture and sustainable construction, with a network of heat pumps in each of the dwellings with new individual property heating controls.
Jedburgh – Scottish Borders Council
This period C property, dating back to the 1700s, was once a dental office and had been empty for at least ten years. A young couple purchased this property after struggling to find a home on the market. With the support of the EHO, they were able to access Scottish Borders council’s empty homes fund. The couple took the time to carefully research conservation techniques which they then utilised during the renovation. These materials and techniques included lime pointing the exterior, lime plastering the interior, and using hemp insulation. They were able to turn this empty property into their dream home for them and their young children. This project has inspired the couple to take up further empty homes work in the future.
Special Recognition Award
An award for a rising star who is making a positive impact on empty homes work, a community member who has gone above and beyond, or someone who has consistently shown their commitment and overcome obstacles to bringing empty homes back into use. We want to celebrate them!
Winner - Dawn Meston
In just 9 months, Dawn has produced many achievements as empty homes officer for Highland Council. This role had previously been empty for a long time and Dawn was able to not only review every case she inherited, but also double her active case load. Dawn also broadened the scope of empty homes work to cover a larger geographical expanse, offering support to both urban and rural owners for the first time in recent Highland history. Dawn has worked tirelessly to advocate for empty homes work within the council. She also prioritised cases where council tax arrears could be recovered, making a positive impact on the council’s budget. Dawn helped make hundreds of empty home owners aware of discounts and nearly tripled her original target for number of homes brought back to use.
John Loudon, Auction House Scotland
John Loudon works for Auction House Scotland and has many years of experience working with empty homes. John helps owners through the selling process and works very closely with each client to make the process as easy as possible. He makes himself available to clients, even in his personal time, to assist with any issues big or small. He helps owners achieve the best price possible, which in turn brings empty homes back to use. John also keeps in touch with clients long term to offer his continued support.
Barry Sweeney, Homes For Good
Barry has been a leader at Homes for Good since 2014 and has directly been involved in identifying, buying, renovating, and furnishing over 340 properties. Barry helped develop hands-on options for empty homes owners such as assistance to sell, purchase by Homes for Good, and a pilot rent ready program. In the past 12 months, he has helped bring 24 homes back into use, 15 of which had been long term empty. Barry also helped create a highly effective tool to help owners understand and manage the process and has committed to sharing this more widely. Barry also played an integral role in Home’s for Goods achievement at this past year’s International Social Housing festival in Barcelona. There, they were awarded the UN-World Habitat Gold Award for their work in developing a portfolio of homes for people on low income.
Best Housing Renovation – Members of the Public
Have you brought an empty property back into use? We’re opening our awards up to members of the public for the very first time. We’re looking for photos and/or videos that can tell the story of how the empty space has been transformed and we want to hear the stories behind them. How long was the property empty, what works were required, and how is the property now being used as a home? Before and after pictures are essential! This award comes with a special DIY voucher prize for the winner.
Winner - Robert Tai
After first discovering this historical Department of Fisheries cottage in 2004 on the Isle of Lewis, Robert purchased this property in 2021. This isolated croft had been empty for over 15 years, was in a ruinous state, and was completely uninhabitable. At 63, Robert carried out the majority of the extensive renovations by himself, which required stripping the property back to the stone walls, and even collected most of his materials with his van around town. Robert also funded the project himself as he was twice denied a home improvement grant. In additional to financial challenges, Robert faced obstacles such as a storm that blew off the new porch roof he had installed and flooded the property. It took 8 months, help from his local MP, and media attention to get his supplier to turn the power back on. Robert persevered and in 2022 completed his first ever property renovation. This project serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved with empty homes!
Lisa Harkins
Lisa and her husband purchased this property which had been empty for three years and had been intentionally flooded following a repossession. This empty property was an eyesore in the community and was the first home visible when you entered the new estate. This property required a full renovation and they had to start from the shell of the home. Lisa’s husband is a builder, and the couple conducted these extensive repairs themselves. They faced structural challenges with uneven walls as well as dangerous wiring that needed replacing. The couple had a focus on ensuring the interior will stand the test of time and utilised many trades to achieve a high quality result in just 12 weeks. This property is now their dream forever home!
Karis Beattie and David Skene
This property had been empty since just after the end of World War Two and is located in a village that has suffered from depopulation as a result of the wars. Karis and David purchased this croft and decided to save it, rather than demolish and rebuild. With the support of EHO Murdo Macleod at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, they utilised a crofting grant and VAT discount to fund the extensive repairs needed. Karis and David also focused on performing an ecofriendly retrofit to lower the carbon footprint and included features such as an eco-heating system and restored original material where possible. This property is now the home of their dreams! This project has also led to other empty homes work in the area and to high interest in the Western Isles. Since this project, 7 people have moved to the village, which helps to combat the community’s depopulation.
Best Housing Renovation - Sector
This award is open to anyone working in and around the industry who has brought an empty property back into use. Photos and videos are encouraged, as well as the details behind the transformation. We’re particularly interested in details of the history of the house, the journey it went on and how it became a home.
Winner - Easy Hire Solutions LTD - Chalmers Street
Easy Hire purchased this Dunfermline property at auction and only learned after the sale that it was boarded up and in need of extensive repairs. This property had been empty since 2010, was the target of vandalism, and was in a general state of disrepair. Located very close to the town centre, this property served as an eyesore. Easy Hire carried out the renovation with a strong focus on restoring as much of the original materials as possible to ensure an ecofriendly retrofit. They faced challenges such as excessive debris, unsafe wiring, and even pigeons who had taken up residence. Following the extensive repairs, two flats have been brought back to use and they are currently working on developing the ground floor into a commercial space. This renovation serves as an important step toward achieving community regeneration in this area and has had a big impact on the townscape.
Homes for Good, Yoker project
This property was referred to Homes for Good by the Glasgow City Council’s empty homes team. This home had been empty for two years following ceiling collapses that the couple were not able to repair. Homes for Good engaged with the owners, purchased the property, and carried out the extensive repairs and refurbishments needed. They faced challenges such as water ingress and various insurance claims. Homes for Good were able to conduct a successful retrofit with a focus on energy efficiency. This property is now an affordable and sustainable home to a young family who were at risk of homelessness.
Cairn Lettings, Havelock Street Glasgow
This property had been empty since 2013 due to much-needed repairs that the owners were unable to tackle due to ill-health. One of Glasgow City Council’s EHOs persistently engaged with the owners to offer support and inform them of the council tax premium they were paying, which they were previously unaware of. Despite initial reluctance, the owner eventually reached out to Cairn Letting. Cairn Letting worked closely with the EHO and carried out extensive refurbishments/repairs in just 17 weeks. This project highlights the importance of establishing partnerships across the sector and relationships with owners themselves.
Best Environmentally Friendly Retrofit
This is an award for an excellent contribution to a sustainable future. What work was required to bring the property back into use, and why was the decision to retrofit made? What are the anticipated future impacts to the person living in the property? Please include any before and after photos. For local authorities, how did this project support your council to meet their strategic objectives, including those in relation to net zero?
Winner - Barnes House - Scottish Borders Council
This property had been empty for at least 25-30 years and was in a ruinous state. It was purchased by a local couple and with the EHO’s support they were able to access grant funding, VAT reductions, and council tax discretion to help fund the renovation. They faced the additional challenge of making an older period property energy efficient. They installed renewable technology such as solar panels, associated battery storage units, and an air source pump. This couple, with the help of Rachel Whale, the EHO for Scottish Borders, were able to save this home and achieve an inspiring EPC A rating for both energy efficiency and environmental impact. This project has brought a home back to use in the community and contributed to Scottish Borders Council’s goal for net-zero emissions by 2045.
Perth & Kinross council vacant property development team (with YMCA)
This grade C church and neighbouring tenement flats were previously owned by Tayside YMCA before falling vacant for 14 years due to unsafe conditions and a lack of funds to fix them. This project created jobs for young people in Perth and involved them in every step of the development and construction. As a result, 6 flats were brought back to use as affordable “first step” housing for young people who have left care and for those in need of emergency accommodation. Due to be completed in the spring, the church will serve as a Y centre and community hub to help disadvantaged youth. This project is an outstanding example of cross sector collaboration and community regeneration.
SOSCH Glentrool Regeneration project (with Dumfries & Galloway Council)
The Glentrool Regeneration project saw a community led acquisition and retrofit of three empty properties previously used as social homes and an empty school in a fragile rural community. There is a lack of housing supply, largely due to the second homes market, and limited community space following the closure of their primary school. SOSCH led on the design with a focus on sustainability and worked with Dumfries and Galloway Council to develop a localised allocation plan. Consequently these three homes are now held in perpetuity by the community and provide affordable housing to people with local connections who were previously unable to move to the area. The school now serves as a multi-functional community space, an important step in helping to regenerate the community.
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Auction House Scotland
Auction House Scotland has been trading in the auction market for more than ten years, and is proud to support the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership as Headline Sponsor at the 2024 Conference.
Having successfully sold 65 properties over the past eight years through SEHP introduction, this relationship has proved to be of value to the business, the goals of SEHP and, most importantly, to the empty home owners themselves.
The Company comprises a team of experienced property professionals, and is well equipped to sell any type of property anywhere in Scotland – whatever the size, condition or circumstances.
Finders International
Finders International are award-winning probate genealogists. We trace missing heirs to property estates, funds and assets worldwide and offer this service FREE of charge to Empty Homes Officers. We have experience in swiftly locating and engaging with owners of vacant or derelict property and can assist in resolving disputes. Whether the owner is living or deceased, we aim to provide prompt solutions every time.
If you would like to get in touch with any further questions, please contact us on freephone 0800 085 8796, email [email protected] or visit our website www.findersinternational.co.uk.
Online Property Auctions
Online Property Auctions Scotland is a well-established auction company operating entirely online, letting our clients enjoy the ease of accessing an auction on their phone, tablet or computer.
Selling hundreds of properties each year, our goal is to modernise and simplify the property-buying process, keeping our buyers and sellers happy. We charge no selling fees to our vendors, so selling your property through us is free; we also frequently offer discounted or free home report surveys, allowing people who would struggle to afford to sell their property to move it on.
We cover all areas of Scotland, and have recently branched into England as well. We host our online auctions every two weeks, where you can bid in real time on residential, land, and commercial property.
Fraser and Fraser
Since 1969, our accredited firm of professionals has worked with the Public Sector, providing our free of charge family tree next-of-kin tracing service. We understand the sensitivity that needs to be applied to people-tracing services, which is why we are committed to carrying these out with tact, empathy and discretion.
For all your next-of-kin enquiries relating to s.46 Public Health Act funerals, Empty Homes, Client Financial Affairs/ Appointeeship & Deputyship and Guardianship call us 020 7832 1400 or email [email protected]
The Empty Homes Network
Established in 2001 in England and Wales, The Empty Homes Network exist to support councils, Empty Homes Officers and practitioners across the UK in bringing empty homes back into use, through the sharing of best practice methods, hands-on experiences, and tools to develop effectiveness and efficiency.
A non-profit organisation, we lobby and campaign for service improvement, increased resources and enhanced tools, and assist those with the least capacity and experience to gain confidence whilst ensuring that those who are more experienced have a platform to share, develop and innovate.
Our Training and Consultancy services are designed and tailored to meet an authority’s specific needs, and compliment support services already available. These include: a full service review, challenging case appraisals, and empty homes strategy development.