Empty Property Financial Assistance Scheme

Sunderland City Council currently operates a Financial Assistance Scheme that offers a range of grants and interest free loans to support work being carried out to empty properties to bringing them back into use back.

Grants

The maximum value of grant that can be claimed is based on the length of time the property has been empty;

• 3 months to 6 months = £2,000
• 6 months to 2 years = £5,000
• 2 years to 5 years = £7,500
• 5 years to 10 years = £10,000
• Over 10 years = £15,000

If the works required to the property are more than the grant available, then it will be up to the owner of the property to finance these works themselves, which could include applying for a loan.

Payment of the grant will be made to the owner of the property, 50% on completion of the works, as approved by the surveyor, and 50% on confirmation of occupation of the property.

If the owner sells the property within three years of receiving the grant, then the council will expect a portion of the grant is repaid to the council. This will be based on a sliding scale over the three-year period. The grant will also be registered as a local land charge against the property.

Loans

If the property has been empty for over six months, then the owner can apply for an interest free loan, up to the value of £15,000. As with the grant, an inspection of the property will be undertaken by a surveyor from Sunderland City Council, and they will outline a schedule of essential works required to bring the property back to a lettable standard and ultimately back into use.

The loans are administered on behalf of the Council by Five Lamps and will be approved subject to an affordability and income assessment, which will be carried out by Five Lamps as part of the process.

The loan will be secured by a legal charge registered with Land Registry, and should the owner sell the property within three years, there will be a pay-back clause in the agreement.

Criteria and application process

If you are a property owner within the City of Sunderland, and your property has been empty for over three months, requires essential works prior to it being brought back into use, then you may be eligible for financial assistance under this scheme.

If you're interested in applying, simply complete the online application form belwo where you will be able to select if you would like to apply for a grant, a loan or both. 

Upon receipt of the online application, it will be processed to ensure it meets the necessary criteria. If the application is successful, an officer will arrange for an inspection of your property by a qualified surveyor from Sunderland City Council who will complete a schedule of works that would qualify for assistance.

Following completion of the works the Sunderland City Council surveyor will carry out a further inspection to ensure they have been completed as agreed and to the satisfactory standard prior to payment of the monies being approved.

Apply for an empty homes grant or loan

More information

Our empty homes grants and loans frequently asked questions can answer some queries you may have.

To contact us for a confidential discussion by emailing Empty.Properties@sunderland.gov.uk or call 0191 520 5555.