Scottish Councils are now able to access information on empty homes through council tax records and make direct contact with the owners.

The new powers are part of the Housing (Scotland) Act of 2010 and could help councils make use of the thousands of empty homes throughout the country.

Earlier this year the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership revealed that 23,000 private homes were lying empty and the housing charity Shelter Scotland said there were more than 156,000 households on waiting lists for a home.

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Shelter Scotland's empty homes coordinator, Kristen Miller, has urged councils to make the most of the new powers, which she described as a "step in the right direction."

Ms Miller said: "There are many reasons why a home might be left empty. Sometimes the property won't sell or cannot be let, owners can have sentimental attachment to it or they simply don't have the finances, the time or the skills to complete their plans for the property.

"Whatever the reason, identifying empty properties and engaging with owners is the first step for local authorities to work with owners and help them to bring empty homes back in to use."

(JG/CD)