Empty property information and support

Report an empty property

Empty properties can make an area feel run down and may become the focus of anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and rodent activity. Empty properties are also a wasted resource that could provide much needed homes.

If you are concerned about an empty property, let us know about it.

Empty property information and support

We want to encourage owners to bring empty properties back into use as homes. We recognise that properties are often empty for a wide variety of reasons and our role is therefore to initially influence and encourage property owners.

This can include advice about undertaking repairs, selling property or renting it.

We may also take appropriate enforcement action where these informal negotiations fail.

To find out more about what we are doing about empty properties on the Island, download the Empty Properties Strategy (PDF, 352KB)

If you need the document in a different format, or need more information, you can email the service

Information for owners of empty properties

The impact of keeping a home empty

The condition of an empty property can deteriorate rapidly, costing more to insure and repair, especially if it’s subject to neglect. An empty home is also a wasted asset that could be providing an income via rent.

If a property is currently left empty for over a year, the owner will be charged a premium rate of Council Tax.

These premiums are designed to encourage property owners not to leave properties empty.

Landlord Incentive Scheme

We have a huge shortage of affordable housing and a long waiting list of people in housing need.

We run a Landlord Incentive Scheme.

We can assist you to lease your property. You will receive a guaranteed rent every month and we get a home to rent out to a local person or family. For support letting your property contact the Housing Accommodation Team for more information.

Reduced VAT rate on empty home renovations

If a residential property has been empty for 2 years or more, the owner may be entitled to claim a reduced rate of VAT of 5% on works of renovation or alternation.

More information available from the HMRC

If you wish to try and claim this reduced rate then you will need documented proof of the period of time the property has been empty. We can provide a certificate and letter confirming this but there is a charge for this.

Enforcement action

Where informal negotiations fail to bring an empty property back into use, then the council has a range of discretionary enforcement powers available to it. These powers tend to be used as a last resort, where an empty property is causing a nuisance or causing other environmental issues within the local community.

This enforcement action can range from Compulsory Purchase powers, to in certain circumstances legally ‘forcing’ the sale of the property. We may also effectively take over the management of the property under the Housing Act 2004 using an Empty Dwelling Management Order.

Opening hours

• Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm
• Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm