How we can help
Empty properties can be a blight on communities and are a wasted resource during a time of a housing emergency. If you are considering investing in an empty home or multiple properties, our Unlocking Empty Homes - Tips for Investors blog is a useful starting point.
Some local authorities in Scotland participate in a Matchmaker Scheme to help connect people wishing to sell an empty home with people who want to buy them. It is a free service and local empty homes officers will do their best to match buyers with properties that meet their criteria.
The following local authorities are currently operating matchmaker schemes:-
Aberdeen City
Aberdeenshire
Angus
Argyll & Bute
East Ayrshire
East Lothian
Falkirk
Fife
Glasgow City
North Ayrshire
Perth and Kinross
Renfrewshire
Scottish Borders
Stirling
West Dunbartonshire
Matchmaker Schemes are one way of finding an empty home to buy, however we recommend maximising your chances of success by also looking on the open market and perhaps at auction as well.
The following local authorities now have their matchmaker schemes on the website where you can register direct.
Aberdeen City Council matchmake to sell and matchmake to rent schemes
Getting in touch: What happens?
- When you get in touch, we'll ask for some information about you and the empty property. We'll listen to your problem and ask what you would like to happen.
- We might be able to give you information straight away, or we might need to do some research and get back to you. We'll always try to get back to you within three working day.
- Many councils have local, dedicated Empty Homes Officers. Where possible, we will put you in touch with them for local assistance. If there isn't an Empty Homes Officer in your area, we'll work with you directly.
Matchmaker Scheme
Helping an Investor Purchase an Empty Property
A community member wanted to buy and renovate a long-term empty home that had been repossessed years earlier by the bank. They knew it had previously been advertised at auction but had not sold. They had no success in contacting the bank so approached our advice service for help. Our adviser wrote to the bank drawing attention to their requirement to sell the property for the highest achievable price. We also asked them to identify someone to speak to about a sale. This communication was not responded to but seemed to prompt action. Shortly after this the property was put up for auction and the community member bought it for a price they were pleased with. Once renovated it will be a permanent home once again.