Empty property grant

Amount available

• grant will cover 50% of the eligible works up to a maximum of £30,000 per unit and up to a maximum £60,000 per scheme and up to a maximum £60,000 per scheme, inclusive of any fees
• for studio flats the grant will be capped at £9,000 per unit, inclusive of any fees
• large scheme applications above the maximum level of assistance will be considered on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the Housing Assistance Team Manager

Who can apply?

To apply, applicants must: 

• be owners of empty property that has been continuously empty for a minimum of 6 months 
• empty property owners who are leaseholders must have a minimum of 7 years left to run on their lease
• offer nomination rights to the Council on completion of works for the duration of the 5-year grant condition period

Non eligible applicants:

• empty property owners convicted by the Council for housing related offences are not eligible for grant or loan assistance
• where a prosecution is pending the application will be deferred until the outcome of the case is known

What this grant can fund

• repairs and improvement works to bring an empty property back into residential use ready for reoccupation
• works to improve energy efficiency at the property to bring it up to a minimum EPC rating of C
• works to convert empty commercial or other premises to residential use and ready for reoccupation

How to apply

To make an enquiry or to start the grant application process email: grantsandloans@lewisham.gov.uk or call our Private Sector Housing Agency on 020 8314 6622.

Before the Council can decide whether to approve or refuse a housing assistance application, the applicant must submit a valid application. A valid application will consist of completing and submitting the following documents:

• a prescribed application form
• a certificate of ownership
• two quotations from legitimate building contractors
• photo ID
• proof of ownership
• signed notification of conditions

How the grant is calculated

There is no means test applied. 

Any grant approved will be registered as a local land charge against the property for the duration of the grant condition period.

For full information on the grant and conditions, please read the Homeowner Grants Policy.