West Dunbartonshire Council has announced that 58 empty homes across the region have been successfully brought back into use over the past two years, significantly contributing to the local housing supply and community well-being.

The Council employs a dedicated Empty Homes Officer who provides crucial advice and assistance to owners of private homes that have been unoccupied for more than six months. By leveraging information from residents and Council records, the officer actively seeks opportunities to revitalise these properties.

This initiative offers multiple benefits, extending beyond the individual property owners to the wider community. It helps to alleviate the demand for social housing, prevents properties from falling into disrepair, and mitigates risks associated with empty homes such as vermin, vandalism, or becoming a fire hazard, thereby fostering more sustainable communities.

In the last year alone (2024/25), 29 properties were brought back into use through the empty homes officer's efforts, matching the number achieved in the preceding year. The Council intends to continue this programme, focusing on identifying long-term empty properties. Residents are encouraged to report unoccupied homes directly to the Council.

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Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, Convener of Housing and Communities, commented: “This is an important part of the work that the Council undertakes, improving communities and bringing much-needed homes back into use. It is a difficult but worthwhile process. I commend the work undertaken by the Empty Homes Officer and look forward to seeing this programme progressing over the coming years.”

Councillor Hazel Sorrell, Vice Convener of Housing and Communities, added: “Given that there is a shortage of homes in the area and the Council’s ambitious housebuilding programme, this is a welcome bonus to increase the number of available properties in West Dunbartonshire. I would urge residents who are concerned about a long-term empty property in their community to contact the Council in the first instance to see what can be done.”

Two recent case studies illustrate the programme's impact:

• Case Study 1: An empty property since 2015, generating complaints of vermin, was addressed by the Empty Homes Officer (EHO). The owner, located via Council Tax records, was keen to sell but faced difficulties. The EHO facilitated discussions, leading to the property's sale to a developer. The renovated house was sold and will be occupied for the first time in a decade.

• Case Study 2: A former Council property, empty since 2014, was acquired by the Council through its Buy Back Scheme after the owner's passing. The property is now undergoing renovation and will soon provide social housing, generating both rental and Council Tax income.

Residents seeking more information about the Empty Homes Officer's work or wishing to report an empty home can visit the West Dunbartonshire Council website or contact Karen Rae, Empty Homes Officer, at [email protected].