Skip to content

Capital developers should look to empty homes to increase housing in city

January 20, 2022
Converted empty property, now specialist housing in Niddrie Street, Edinburgh.

The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) wants private developers to include plans to bring empty homes back to use in their responses to the Prior Information Notice (PIN) issued by City of Edinburgh Council calling for investors, landowners and developers to consider ways to accelerate the council’s ambition to deliver 20,000 affordable homes by 2027.…

Fewer empty homes but more to do as numbers remain above pre-pandemic levels

December 7, 2021
Empty Homes by Local Authority 2020-21

The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) has welcomed a fall in the number of long-term empty properties in Scotland but urged councils to make tackling empty homes a key part of their housing strategy, as numbers remain above pre-pandemic levels. Statistics published today by the Scottish Government showed that the number of long-term empty properties…

Hunt on for the best transformation of an ‘old wreck’ empty home in Scotland

November 30, 2021

Nominations are now open for the 11th Scottish Empty Homes Awards. The awards showcase the inspiring work of individuals and organisations who have made exemplary contributions to the field of private sector empty homes work in Scotland This year’s awards include ‘Best Before and After’ and ‘Best Old Wreck’; a new award that celebrates the incredible…

In-person tickets for Scottish Empty Homes Conference 2022 go on sale

November 24, 2021

Early bird tickets for the 11th Scottish Empty Homes Conference, “Empty Spaces to Thriving Places”, which will take place on Tuesday 1 February 2022 have gone on sale. The conference will be a hybrid event, with a limited number of in-person tickets available and remaining attendees taking part digitally. The in-person event will take place…

Empty Homes and the Climate Emergency

September 14, 2021

We all know the story when it comes to the climate emergency and housing. We have to improve the energy efficiency of our housing stock if we want to reduce carbon emissions. But this is actually only part of the story. The other part is the emissions involved in building homes. A building that can…

It was hard going but we got there! – Reflections on my experience of renovating an empty home

July 15, 2021
Debbie Guild holding keys

Debbie Guild Having just purchased an empty house at auction for the first time I found myself standing outside with the keys. There was something about this abandoned empty home that called to me and pulled on my heartstrings. Due to its condition, it was considered unsafe to view prior to auction and so I…

Opportunity to join our team as an Empty Homes Adviser

July 5, 2021

Do you have a passion for dealing with people and want to play a role in bringing empty homes back into use? An opportunity has become available to join our team as an Empty Homes Adviser with applications closing on 23rd July.   Further information on the role and details of how to apply are…

BLOG: Empty Homes can help achieve Scotland’s 20 minute neighbourhood ambition

June 22, 2021
Block of flats external

By Paul Stewart, Partnership Officer The concept of 20 minute neighbourhoods – the idea that it should be easy for people to meet most of their everyday needs within a 20 minute return walk or cycle – has recently risen to prominence as a strategic priority in planning. The concept is a multi-disciplinary approach to…

Over 850 empty homes brought back into use across Scotland

June 15, 2021
Person sanding a ceiling

In its 2020-21 Annual Report, published on 14 June, the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) report that Empty Homes Officers (EHOs) across Scotland helped to bring almost 900 empty properties back in to use this year, despite restrictions caused by Covid-19 pandemic that has seen renovation work halted or abandoned, rental properties remaining vacant and…

Scottish Borders joins the fight against empty homes

May 25, 2021
Scottish Borders joins the fight against empty homes

Supported by the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, Scottish Borders Council are appointing a dedicated Empty Homes Officer as part of plans to help owners bring long-term empty properties back into use and reduce the impact that neglected empty homes can have on communities in the area. The officer will provide a range of services, advice…