Angus Council is the first local authority in Scotland to transform an empty property into an affordable home as part of the Scottish Government's Empty Homes Loan Fund.

The former commercial property in Montrose, which lain empty for more than five years, was redeveloped into a quality one-bedroom home for an Angus householder.

The home will be let at an affordable rent for five years which means that those on low incomes can take up residence knowing that their rent will not significantly increase during this time.

Angus Council received £120k from the Scottish Government for the scheme to provide interest free loans for cash-strapped private owners to have renovation work carried out and allow their empty properties to be brought into productive use.

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The home in Montrose is the first of seven privately owned empty properties being refurbished in Angus for use as affordable housing.

The investment aims to tackle the issue of properties sitting empty and unused across Scotland because owners find it difficult to fund the necessary repairs. Under the new scheme, owners must subsequently let the home for a period of at least five years at an affordable rent, with a percentage of the rent being paid back to the fund to pay off the loan.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: "It is fantastic to see the first of many properties to be renovated through the Scottish Government’s Empty Homes Loan Fund.

"Bringing empty properties back into use is a cost-effective way to increase supply of much needed affordable housing to families across Scotland. It also reduces the number of properties falling into serious disrepair in local communities.

"The Empty Homes Loan Fund and the wider work being taken forward by councils will significantly reduce the number of wasted, empty properties across Scotland."

(JP/IT)