Carmarthenshire County Council is bringing more empty homes back into use throughout the county.

Since its introduction in 2023, the Empty Properties Framework has combined enforcement, council tax premiums, and support to reduce the number of long-term empty homes.

The council aims to increase the supply of affordable housing to meet demand and tackle property nuisance issues.

The council is committed to working with owners of empty properties by providing advice to help bring properties back into use and offering financial assistance, subject to eligibility.

Where property ownership is known and owners or estate executors are unwilling to co-operate, enforcement action can be taken.

In April 2024, council tax premiums for long-term empty homes were introduced.

All homes empty for 12 months and longer are now subject to these premiums, along with the removal of a 50 per cent discount awarded to long-term empty houses.

Full council tax charges are applied to houses empty longer than six months.

A case study from the council's Empty Properties Team illustrates the support offered.

A historically empty property in Llanelli town centre was purchased by new owners who enquired about the council’s Houses to Homes loan scheme in July 2022.

An Empty Homes Advisor inspected the property, assessed its condition, and discussed the available options.

Following this, a full Houses to Homes application was submitted and formal approval was granted.

Renovation works are currently taking place, after which it will be made available for the rental market.

Councillor Linda Davies Evans, cabinet member for homes, said: "We are continuing to see the benefits of the Empty Properties Framework, which supports the excellent work of our empty properties advisors, enabling us to try and reduce the number of long-term empty properties in the county.

"I would encourage anyone who owns an empty property in Carmarthenshire to get in touch with the team or to visit the council’s website to learn more about the wide range of support available to help bring these empty properties back into use."

For more information on the Houses to Homes loan scheme and other support available, owners of empty properties, visit the council’s website.