Empty Homes

Reporting empty homes  

If a private property is empty and causing problems, please contact the Housing Safety and Environmental Protection Team at public.health@torfaen.gov.uk or 01495 762200. An officer will then visit and assess the situation. 

 If we receive a report about an empty property, we will try to: 

• Identify the owner
• Inform them of any issues reported to us
• Prioritise enforcement action on problematic properties and uncooperative owners

Legal action 

We are prepared to take legal action where there is evidence of: 

• Accumulated waste or overgrowth causing pest problems
• Nuisance to neighbouring occupiers
• Serious risk of injury arising from the condition of the building
• Neglected and unsecure buildings that are detrimental to the local area

Where empty property owners are not compliant and all negotiations have failed, Torfaen Council may take enforcement action to ensure that the empty property is returned to habitable condition and brought back into use.  Enforcement actions may include empty dwelling management orders, enforced sale, compulsory purchase orders or voluntary acquisition.    

Landlord Loan 

In partnership with the Welsh Government, we offer interest free loans to help empty property owners bring back properties into use. 

Individuals and companies can apply for the loan if they own an empty property or are considering buying an empty property in Torfaen.  

The loan is available for properties that have been empty for at least 6 months or more.  

The maximum loan amount is £25,000 per property or unit, up to a total maximum of £250,000 per applicant. 

Money is paid upfront to the owner and will need to be repaid within: 

• 2 years if the property is to be sold
• 5 years if the property is to be rented

There are no monthly repayments, and the applicant can repay the loan earlier than the specified time. 

Any loan offered, taking into account any existing mortgage, cannot exceed 80% of the current property value.  The loan approved must be secured by a first or second charge being secured against the property.  If there is an existing mortgage on the property, we need the lenders to consent to secure our charge. 

For more information about the Landlord Loan, contact 01495 742629 or housingenabling@torfaen.gov.uk