Fife Council approves first Empty Homes loan application

Fife Council has approved the first successful loan from the ‘Empty Homes Loan Scheme’, a scheme available to owners of long-term empty homes with properties that require extensive repairs to bring them up to a lettable standard.

Mr Adam, owner of an empty property in Kirkcaldy, has successfully secured a loan to allow him to convert the large flat above the Feuars Arms, which has been empty since 2007, into two properties.

Once work is complete, the property will become a 1 bedroomed and 2 bedroomed flat and both will be available for private rent. As part of the loan agreement, the rent charge on these properties will be lower than mid-market rent.

Mr Adam said: “I am delighted that we have been successful with our application. These funds will help refurbish our property which has been empty for so long. I look forward to the work being complete and hope that we will have new tenants soon after the properties are available for let.”

Councillor Judy Hamilton, executive spokesperson for housing and building services, said: “I’d like to thank Mr Adam for stepping up and getting involved with this Empty Homes Scheme. It’s great that he can now move forward with the refurbishment of his property. It’s really good to see an empty property be brought back into use as a home for an individual or a family.

“The council is keen to encourage empty home owners to bring their properties back into use, to increase the supply of housing in Fife and particularly to help tackle the shortage of affordable housing. I would encourage anyone with a privately owned home, which has been empty for six months or more to get in touch with the Empty Homes Officer for advice and support.”