Owners of empty homes in Edinburgh are being encouraged to bring them back into use.

As part of the Edinburgh Empty Homes Initiative, they are being supported to transform the properties into affordable, mid-market rent homes.

The Edinburgh Empty Homes Task Force was set up in 2012 to look at ways of bringing the capital's empty homes back into use. A key element of its work plan is the Edinburgh Empty Homes Initiative, which provides loans to help empty homeowners meet the costs of refurbishing homes.

The Initiative is being delivered by Link2Let, a trading name of Link Housing Association, was awarded a fund of £750k from the Scottish Government's Empty Homes Loan Fund.

Under the scheme, Link2Let is looking for property owners who have one or two-bedroom homes that have been lying empty for at least six months. The homes may have fallen into disrepair or may need refurbishment work to bring them back up to standard.

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Link2Let has said it can help owners with the necessary renovation costs, by allowing them the opportunity to access an interest-free loan up to £15k. Once the renovations are complete, Link2Let will rent out the property for between five and seven years to help provide affordable, safe and secure homes for people who cannot afford to buy, or who are not a priority for Council or housing association tenancies in Edinburgh.

Councillor Cammy Day, Convenor of the Empty Homes Task Force and the Council’s Housing Leader, said: "One of the first actions of the Capital Coalition was to set up an Empty Homes Task Force. We have written to owners with advice on how they can turn their empty properties into homes and we have also increased the Council Tax charges for vacant homes as a further incentive to act.

"There is a desperate need for more affordable homes in the city and although Edinburgh has a relatively low number of empty homes, every one that is brought back into use is greatly needed. This new initiative provides a fantastic opportunity for home owners to act now and bring their empty properties back into use as affordable rented homes."

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess added: "Empty homes are a wasted resource and a blight on local communities. The Scottish Government supports and encourages owners of empty homes in Edinburgh to bring them back into use.

"At a time when affordable housing is in high demand bringing empty homes back into use is an innovative and cost-effective way to increase the supply of housing in Scotland. The Scottish Government is working to deliver at least 30,000 affordable homes in Scotland over the lifetime of this parliament and the Empty Homes Task Force can play a valuable role in helping us achieve this."

(JP/MH)