Empty properties

Reporting an empty property

We are particularly interested in private properties that have been empty for over 12 months.

To report an empty property please call us on 020 8487 5123, or report it on the Empty Homes Agency website. We will investigate and contact the owner to try to bring the property back into use. Where appropriate, enforcement powers may be used.

Please provide as much information as possible about the property, including a full address. This information will help identify what action is needed.

Bringing an empty property into use

Bringing an empty property back into use has many advantages:

  • Gain income from rent.
  • Improve local environment.
  • Reduce risk of anti-social behaviour.
  • Increase local housing provision.
  • Reduce negative affect on neighbouring property value.
  • Avoiding the possibility of enforcement action, for example an enforced sale, compulsory purchase or an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO).

We actively work with landlords of empty properties, and offer advice and financial assistance. However, where an empty property is the subject of regular complaints from neighbours, we may consider a compulsory purchase of the property.

There are two main ways we can help you to bring your property back into use:

If the property is in good condition

If the property doesn’t need any repairs or decorations, the Rent Deposit Scheme may wish to use the property. For further information see our Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme page or Short Term Leasing Scheme page.

If the property needs renovation

Renovation Grants are available to the owners of vacant properties.

The scheme is open to anyone with a property that has been vacant for a minimum six month period, who will offer the property (once repaired) to the Rent Deposit Scheme for a minimum period of five years. The property will be used to house the Council's customers in housing need. For further information please read the Grant guidance(pdf, 129KB)

The maximum grant is £25,000 per unit.

Developers list

If you are an investor or property developer interested in purchasing empty properties in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames you can apply to have your details put on our developers list. This list is available to owners of empty properties in the Borough who are thinking about selling.

Please be aware that if you join the list, your personal contact details will be passed on to the owners of empty homes who request the information.

To apply please email residentialeh@richmond.gov.uk with information about the areas and property types you are interested in.