Empty property grant

To help eligible empty property owners undertake repairs, improvements or conversion works to bring long term empty properties back into residential use.

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, 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
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

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.

Fees

Survey preparation fee for empty property funding applicants (freeholders and leaseholders).	£500 plus VAT
VAT reduction letter.	£161.44 plus VAT

Contact

Housing Assistance Team

Telephone:

020 8314 6622

Email:

grantsandloans@lewisham.gov.uk

Published on: 15/07/2026