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Empty Homes

Empty Property Loan (H2H Loan Scheme)

Flintshire has approximately 500 long term empty properties; the Empty Property Grant is a loan to help owners bring empty properties back in to use.

This is in the form of an interest free loan to cover works which bring the property up to the Decent Homes Standard. An example would be, works to remedy serious disrepair, provide modern kitchen and bathroom facilities, improve heating systems and insulation, and to remove any serious hazards which could affect the well-being of the occupier, such as dampness, dangerous stairs or electrical wiring.

  • Max: £35,000 per unit of accommodation (£250,000 per applicant maximum).
  • Council holds share of property to be repaid on sale or transfer within 2-3 years.
  • For owners of 6 months plus, vacant residential properties to bring up to lettable standard.
Eligibility CriteriaConditionsAmount
  • Applicant has an owners interest
  • Applicant must have sufficient equity within their property to cover the loan amount/or offer a different property with sufficient equity for security
  • Applicants property must be long term vacant (over 6 months)
  • Property must be tenanted until the loan is released or sold
  • On completion of the works, the property must be habitable and of a lettable standard (no category 1 hazards)
  • Property must be covered by buildings insurance until the loan is repaid
  • Maximum loan of £25,000 subject to eligibility testing and loan assessment
  • The Council holds a share of the property value, to the cost of the works
  • Loan is repaid on sale or transfer (maximum loan term is 2 years for sale and 3 years for rent)
  • Voluntary early repayment may be made at any time

Apply Online

Empty Property Grant & Living Over the Shops (LOTS)

This grant is to help owners bring empty properties back in to use within the Council’s strategic Renewal Area. This is designed to cover works which bring the property up to the Decent Homes Standard. An example would be, works to remedy serious disrepair, provide modern kitchen and bathroom facilities, improve heating systems and insulation, and to remove any serious hazards which could affect the well-being of the occupier, such as dampness, dangerous stairs or electrical wiring.

  • Max: £20,000 grant.
  • A proportion of the grant is repayable on sale or transfer if within 5 years.
  • For owners of vacant properties to bring up to lettable standard, in eligible areas, to be occupied by Council nominated tenants for 5 years.
Eligibility CriteriaConditionsAmount
  • Applicant is invited to apply by the Council
  • Applicant has an owners interest
  • For use within the Council’s strategic Renewal Area
  • A proportion of the grant must be repaid if the property is sold or transferred within 5 years. Repayment will be reduced by 20% for each full year elapsed since the completion date
  • Flintshire County Council retains tenancy rights for 5 years and property must be managed by North East Wales Homes
  • Landlords participating will be encouraged to join the All Wales Landlord Accreditation Scheme and accept nominations from Flintshire County Council.
  • On completion of the works, the property meets the Decent Homes Standard
  • Maximum grant of £20,000 subject to eligibility testing and loan assessment
  • A proportion of the grant is repaid on sale or transfer of the property within 5 years

N:B Applications will also be considered from first time buyers who wish to reside at the property themselves and who are also registered on the Council’s Affordable Home Ownership Register. These applicants are not subject to the conditions relating to the management of the property by a social lettings agency, FCC retaining tenancy rights and the requirement to become an accredited landlord.

Home Improvement Loan Scheme

The Welsh Government has launched a new Home Improvement Loan scheme offering financial support to owners of private properties.

The fund, made available to Councils in Wales, enables the Council to provide short to medium term loans to owners of sub-standard properties who pass affordability criteria and who are restricted by other sources of finance.

Interested applicants should complete an Expression of Interest Form - please download the form below.

Please note that the loan is discretionary and an offer of a loan cannot be guaranteed until the applicant has received formal notice of approval.

Home Improvement Loan Criteria

Eligibility CriteriaConditionsAmount
Loan available to any applicant Works which make a residential property safe warm and/or secure £1,000 up to £25,000. Maximum loan per applicant £150,000
Maximum fee charged to a loan recipient Administration fee payable 15% administration fee
Loans can be provided for the purpose of improving a residential property to/for:
  • Continued ownership
  • Sell
  • Rent
 Welsh Government Requirement
HIL conditions
  • If the property is Let then the property must be free of category 1 hazards as defined by Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
  • If the recipient sells the property during the term of the HIL the loan must be immediately repaid in full
 Welsh Government Requirement
Maximum loan period Up to 5 years for landlord loan, 7 years for owner occupiers Welsh Government Requirement
Payment terms HILs can be drawndown by loan recipients in advance, in stages or on completion of the improvement works  
Repayment terms Either staged repayments (monthly, quarterly or yearly) or full repayment at the end of the HIL term or on sale of the property if earlier. Repayment terms to be sorted by administrator on a case-by-case basis as part of affordability checks
Eligible loan recipients Owners of sub-standard residential properties e.g. landlords, owner occupiers who pass affordability checks Welsh Government Requirement

For further information call: 01352 703434

Initial Expression of Interest Form

Please return completed forms to:

Housing Regeneration and Strategy
County Offices
Chapel Street
Flint
Flintshire
CH6 5BD