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Susan Burness
Associate Director, Forfar Office
Within the countryside there are currently a
large number of empty residential properties
that are uninhabited due to their poor
condition. The capital cost of refurbishing
these properties can be considerable and this
may be one reason why the properties remain
vacant.
The Rural Empty Properties Grant is aimed at
bringing these properties back into use and
increase the supply of affordable rented housing
within rural areas.
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The level of grant that can be offered is
dependant on a wide range of factors including
the relationship between the project costs and
the proposed rent and the length of time the
owner is prepared to commit to the rented
sector. The maximum level of grant payable is
generally 33% of the total project costs,
although in exceptional circumstances
this may be increased to as much as 60%.
Eligible applicants include private landlords,
private developers, non-registered housing
associations or housing trusts. Eligible
properties include dwelling houses that are
vacant due to their condition and
non-residential property which could be
renovated and converted for the provision of
housing. An inhabited residential property may
be considered only where it forms part of a
group of eligible empty properties.
Rural Empty Properties Grant is aimed at
bringing these properties back into use and
increase the supply of affordable rented housing
within rural areas.
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