Renovation grants

Introduction

It is important - both for owners of empty properties in Scotland and people in housing need who might be interested in renting a particular empty house - to realise that there are grant options available. These are to encourage private landlords to release their empty houses so that they can then be renovated and let out at affordable rents to local people.

Lead Tenancies Scheme

The Lead Tenancies Scheme was launched by Scottish Homes in 1994 and is designed to bring suitable empty properties back into good condition and residential use. The scheme offers what can be a sizeable renovation grant and works like this:

• A private landlord lets a property to a registered housing association (the 'lead tenant').
• If the house or flat needs improvement work then the lead tenant - the housing association - can get a grant of up to £22,000 from Communities Scotland, depending on how many years the landlord is willing to lease to the lead tenant (the grant is worth £1,100 a year to the owner for every year of the lease granted up to a maximum of 20 years).
• The housing association then sub-lets the renovated house or flat to an applicant on their waiting list on a Short Scottish Secure Tenancy of six months duration (but renewable) at an affordable cost.
• The lead tenant (the housing association) remains legally responsible, however, for the regular payment of rent to the property owner and the proper management and maintenance of the house and its return in good condition at the lease expiry date.

A Guidance leaflet is available from the Communities Scotland office.

Lead Tenancy Officer
25 St James Street
Paisley
PA3 2HQ
Tel 0141 889 8896

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Where can I get grants to improve my home?
• A: Contact our Housing Office on (0141) 557 3700 in the first instance and our staff will advise if any grants are available to you.