As a result of the Key Officer Delegated Decision made on 30th June 2026, the Council is undertaking a 6-week consultation on its new Empty Homes Strategy, Restoring Empty Homes; Prosperous Lives 2026-2031. The consultation will run from Monday 6th July 2026 and will end on Sunday 16th August 2026.
The draft Strategy sets out how, over the next 5 years, the Council will work with landlords, residents and other stakeholders to shape and facilitate bringing empty properties back into use. The Council is committed to continue to tackle empty homes across RCT and increase the number of homes being brought back into use.
Empty private sector homes represent a wasted resource and are a financial expense both to the owners and the Council and in many cases a missed opportunity to provide much needed affordable housing for residents. Not only are they a waste of a valuable housing resource, but they can cause blight to communities and distress to residents affected by their unsightly appearance and propensity to attract crime and anti-social behaviour
The strategy is supported by the following four objectives that will drive its delivery:
- Strengthen partnerships with Registered Social Landlords and the private sector that will support empty homes being brought back into use
- Provide advice, assistance and financial support to empty property owners to increase the number of empty homes that are brought back into use
- Deliver proportionate and effective enforcement powers to bring empty homes back into use
- Support regeneration and community wellbeing by providing targeted empty homes interventions for different housing market areas and improve community outcomes
The consultation provides residents with the opportunity to comment and contribute to the final draft of the strategy.
The consultation document can be found on this page.
If you would like to take part in the consultation, this can be done in a number of ways:
Online
Fill in the online questionnaire
Wales offers a National Empty Homes Grant providing up to £25,000 to renovate long-term empty properties. To qualify, the home must be empty for at least 12 months, and you must live there as your primary residence for 5 years. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Welsh Government’s £50 million scheme is available in 17 participating local authorities and has been extended until September 2026.
Key Details & Eligibility
- Grant Amount: Up to £25,000 to cover essential repairs, structural work, damp proofing, and energy-efficiency upgrades.
- Applicant Contribution: You must contribute 15% (capped at £3,750) of the total work costs.
- Property Status: The home must be registered as a chargeable empty property with your local council for a minimum of 12 months.
- Occupancy: You must own (or be in the process of buying) the property and plan to live in it as your sole and primary residence for at least 5 years.
Alternative Scheme: Leasing Scheme Wales
If you want to let the property rather than live in it, you can lease it to your local council for 5 to 20 years through Leasing Scheme Wales. This provides guaranteed rent at local housing allowance rates and up to £30,000 in grant funding for renovations and energy efficiency improvements.
How to Apply
The national scheme is administered by Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council on behalf of the Welsh Government. You can submit your application and check if your local council is participating via the National Empty Homes Grant platform.
If you tell me which local authority area the property is in, I can check if your specific council is participating and help you find the direct contact details to proceed with you
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