Carmarthenshire County Council has information and advice to homeowners and landlords to help reduce the number of empty properties across the county.

The empty properties team can provide a range of support to landlords and owners of empty properties including information on financial assistance, help with VAT exemptions and advice on renting properties through the council.

The support also includes advice on funding administered by the council on behalf of the Welsh Government, Leasing Scheme Wales which gives landlords and owners of empty homes a chance to lease their property through the council for between five and 20 years.

The council highlighted the benefits for property owners includes guaranteed and regular income as owners signed up to the scheme will get guaranteed rental income and the relevant housing allowance rate; variable lease terms as owners are allowed to choose whether they want to sign up their property for anywhere between five and 20 years.

Other benefits include full management of the property as the scheme offers a guarantee of appropriate support for tenants for the duration of the lease and the scheme covers repairs for any damage to the property by the tenants. Properties can also be eligible for a grant of up to £5,000 to be brought up to agreed standards, with empty properties potentially eligible for up to £25,000.

There is also a Houses to Homes Loan Scheme which provides a loan for properties that have been empty for more than six months to bring them back into use as residential homes. The loan can be used for properties that are intended to be rented or sold.

The council also offers a social lettings agency called Simple Lettings. There are no management or admin fees and a platinum package gives property owners a free ‘tenant finder’, guaranteed rental income inclusive of void periods, day-to-day repair and maintenance costs covered, free landlord gas safety certificate, free 24/7 central heating and plumbing cover, free electrical testing and inspection report, free energy performance certificate, free advice from qualified and regulated staff, professional digital inventory, free occupation contracts, damage waiver guarantee and no requirement to be licensed with Rent Smart Wales.

Cllr Linda Davies Evans, cabinet member for homes, said: “There are many options available to owners of empty properties and our team of Advisors are here to help identify the most appropriate support available, depending on the circumstances.

“The Empty Properties Team can also provide advice to owners of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) on housing and safety standards, HMO management regulation and Rent Smart Wales.”

For more information, visit the Carmarthenshire County Council website.