No Use Empty, a Kent-wide initiative which is helping to bring empty properties back into use, has joined forces with Dartford Borough Council to help the owners of empty homes renovate their properties and create a new accommodation for the town.
No Use Empty is a partnership between Kent County Council and the Kent District Councils which includes Dartford Borough Council and complements the existing work being carried out by the districts to combat the ongoing problem of empty housing.
Kent County Council has committed a £5 million capital fund to provide financial support to owners of empty property to help them pay for necessary renovations required to bring them back into use. Research shows that the cost of renovation works is one of the biggest obstacles to bringing empty homes back into use and the loan scheme is a very tangible solution to unlock the problem. The issue of empty housing is particularly topical at a time when the current economic climate makes it very difficult for individuals to borrow money from financial institutions.
The loan scheme is intended for any owner of an empty property, or someone who is considering buying an empty property (if the property has been empty for 6 months or more). The owner can apply for a loan of up to £25,000 per unit to a maximum of £175,000. The loan will be made as an up-front payment and can be made on properties that have been empty for at least six months, as long as the property is sold or made available to rent upon completion of the necessary works. Loans will also be considered for applications to convert commercial properties into residential accommodation
No Use Empty Project Manager, Steve Grimshaw, said: “The loan scheme has already been very successful across Eastern Kent districts. This shows just how critical the issue of empty housing is in the County and how the No Use Empty partnership is needed by residents to tackle the problem. We’re so pleased to have Dartford on board the loan scheme and look forward to assisting many more people in giving a new lease of life to so many empty homes.”
In total to date, Kent County Council has spent £1.1 million on interest-free loans bringing properties back into use, with many more in the pipe-line. Coupled with private sector leverage means that total investment in relation to reinstating homes across Kent reaches almost £4million.
If you would like to discuss this further please call the No Use Empty hotline 08458 247605, or to report an empty property in Dartford call the Empty Properties Officer on 01322 343670.