Published 27 May 2025
Communities across West Dunbartonshire have been able to see the benefits after 58 empty homes were brought back into use in the last two years.
The Council employs an Empty Homes Officer to provide advice and assistance to owners of empty private homes that have been unoccupied for more than six months.
Acting on information provided by residents and through Council records, the officer explores all opportunities to make the homes available for use again.
As well as benefitting the individual whose home has become empty, or their families who gain responsibility for the property, there are additional benefits for the community and the wider local authority area.
Firstly, more homes are available alleviating the demand for social housing; homes don’t fall into a poor state of repair; and the risks associated with empty homes such as vermin, vandalism or becoming a fire risk are removed creating more sustainable communities.
In the last year, 29 properties were brought back into use through the empty homes officer in 2024/25 and 29 in the previous year.
Work will now continue on identifying homes which have lain empty for a prolonged period. Residents can also get in touch directly with the Council to report homes which are not occupied.
Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, said: “This is an important part of the work that the Council undertakes, improving communities and bringing much-needed homes back into use. It is a difficult but worthwhile process.
“I commend the work undertaken by the Empty Homes Officer and look forward to seeing this programme progressing over the coming years.”
Vice Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Hazel Sorrell, added: “Given that there is a shortage of homes in the area and the Council’s ambitious housebuilding programme, this is a welcome bonus to increase the number of available properties in West Dunbartonshire.
“I would urge residents who are concerned about a long-term empty property in their community to contact the Council in the first instance to see what can be done.”
Two case studies from the last year show the benefits of the work which the Empty Homes Officer does.
Case study 1
The Empty Homes Officer (EHO) received complaints of vermin in the garden of a property and reports of the house being in a poor condition having lain empty since 2015.
The owner, who had moved in with a friend after a period of ill health, was traced from Council Tax records and had been keen to sell but the Covid pandemic had made this difficult.
The owner, whose health had deteriorated, agreed to allow their friend to act on their behalf, discussing options with the EHO. Information about local estate agents was provided and, within a matter of weeks, an offer by a developer was accepted. The developer has since renovated the house to a high standard with the work completed in April last year. The house was put back up for sale and sold at a closing date. It will now be occupied for the first time in 10 years.
Case study 2
An end terrace former West Dunbartonshire Council property had been empty since 2014. The owner had moved to receive care and subsequently passed away.
The EHO remained in contact with the late owner’s legal representative throughout the legal process which progressed with the Council buying the property through the Buy Back Scheme.
It is now being renovated and, once complete, will provide social housing for someone with the relevant housing need, also resulting in rental and Council Tax income.
To find out more about the work of the Empty Homes Officer or to report an empty home in your community, see https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/council/key-council-documents/housing/empty-homes-strategy/ or contact Karen Rae, Empty Homes Officer by email at karen.rae@west-dunbarton.gov.uk