GrantRadar

Lewisham Council

Empty Property Grant (Lewisham)

A discretionary Lewisham Council grant for owners of homes in the borough that have stood empty for at least six months, paying 50% of the eligible works to bring them back into residential use (repairs, energy efficiency to EPC C, or converting empty commercial premises to homes). Up to £30,000 per unit and £60,000 per scheme, capped at £9,000 per unit for studio flats; larger schemes are considered case by case. There is no means test, but in return the owner gives the council nomination rights to the tenancy for a five-year grant condition period, at an affordable rent agreed with the council.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £30,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Heavy
budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

  • Owners, aged 18 or over, of a property in the London Borough of Lewisham that has been continuously empty for at least 6 months; leaseholders must have at least 7 years left to run on their lease
  • Applicants must agree to give the council nomination rights to the property on completion of the works for the 5-year grant condition period: the council nominates tenants for the first and every later let in that period, rent must be at an affordable level agreed with the council, tenants must not be members of the landlord's family, and the property must be kept in good repair
  • Owners convicted by the council of housing-related offences cannot apply
  • There is no means test
  • All assistance is discretionary and subject to the funding available

What it funds

  • 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

The grant covers 50% of the eligible works, up to £30,000 per unit and £60,000 per scheme, inclusive of any fees; studio flats are capped at £9,000 per unit. Large schemes above the maximum are considered case by case at the discretion of the Housing Assistance Team Manager.

What it will not fund

  • Owners convicted by the council for housing-related offences (applications are deferred while a prosecution is pending)
  • Property empty for less than 6 months
  • Leasehold property with less than 7 years left on the lease
  • Repeat grants for the same property from the same recipient within 5 years of a previous approval (not generally approved)

How to apply

  1. Email grantsandloans@lewisham.gov.uk or call the Private Sector Housing Agency on 020 8314 6622 to make an enquiry and start the application
  2. Submit a valid application: the prescribed application form with a certificate of ownership, two contractor quotations, photo ID, proof of ownership and signed notification of conditions
  3. The council writes to approve or refuse the application; an approval letter sets out the eligible works, the grant amount, your contribution and the conditions
  4. Complete the eligible works within 12 months of approval; grant is paid once the works are completed to the council's satisfaction, after you have paid your contribution to the contractor

A survey preparation fee of £500 plus VAT applies to empty property applications (and £161.44 plus VAT for a VAT reduction letter). The grant is registered as a local land charge and must be repaid in full if the property is disposed of or the conditions are broken within the 5-year condition period.

Have ready

  • Prescribed application form
  • Certificate of ownership
  • Two quotations from legitimate building contractors
  • Photo ID
  • Proof of ownership
  • Signed notification of conditions

Drawings or layout plans showing compliance with building regulations are needed for complex projects you manage yourself.

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