Harrogate Borough Council is to launch a loan scheme aimed at helping owners of empty homes bring them back into use.
The scheme is designed to help property owners to carry out essential repairs and improvements to houses which have been empty for more than six months.
Called the Empty Homes Loans scheme, the authority will target loans at those owners who want to carry out improvements but do not have the money to do so.
It will also prioritise properties which have stood empty for more than two years.
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Currently, there are around 200 private properties in the district that have been empty for more than two years.
Madeleine Bell, head of housing and property at the council, said:
“We want to work with property owners who, for whatever reason, have an empty property that could be better used to provide a home for local people.
“The Empty Homes Loan allows these property owners, who might not have the money to do so, carry out repairs or improvement works and bring them back into use. Anyone interested should get in touch with the private housing team to find out more.”
The loan can be used for essential repairs and improvements to an empty home, such as fixing faulty electrical wiring or a leaking roof or to bring it up to a standard so that it can be occupied again.
It will have no set repayment term and there are no monthly repayments. However it will be required to be paid back within five years of the work being completed or when the house is sold.
