Marmion House, Tamworth Borough Council

Homeowners with empty properties could be eligible for a Tamworth Borough Council grant to help bring the houses back up to standard.

The aim of the project is to bring empty homes back into use – and grants of up to £10,000 are now available from the borough council.

It is estimated there are around 250 empty properties in the borough which could be used to provide housing to people looking for accommodation.

People who are successful in receiving a grant would then allow the borough council to rent out the property to people on its housing waiting list for the next three years. The homeowner would keep the rental income.

The project is aimed specifically at people who may have been left property as a legacy and can’t afford to maintain it, homeowners with no savings or people who have not been able to upkeep the home, either while ill or living elsewhere.

In addition to grant assistance, the borough council is working to identify empty properties and get in touch with homeowners to let them know help is available.

Councillor Mary Oates, Cabinet Member for Quality of Life, said:

“We have a number of empty properties across the borough which could provide housing for people wishing to live in Tamworth.

“We are keen to work with people who may not be able to maintain these properties or who are not aware what support is available.”

“Empty properties could attract anti-social behaviour, fly tipping, attract vandalism and make neighbouring properties unattractive to let or sell. This project will help avoid this, help homeowners and also provide much needed accommodation.”

During the past six months the Council has successfully brought ten empty homes back into use.

For information about the grants or to report an empty property, please contact Marilyn McNally on 01827 709345.