Cheshire West and Chester Council is launching a scheme of grants encouraging homeowners to bring long-term empty properties back into use.

Although the Council has helped to get 900 such homes occupied over the last five years, there are still 2,100 in our borough that remain vacant.

As Empty Homes Week (15-21 February) approaches, Cheshire West is eager to fill these houses and flats with life once again.

The financial assistance available is in the form of empty home and conversion grants which can help owners and private landlords with the cost of refurbishing empty homes and converting obsolete commercial premises.

Grants of up to £2,000 are available, going up to £15,000 for those individuals willing to accept tenants nominated by the Council.

In addition to financial assistance, the Council can also provide landlords with a range of support services such as: a tenant finding service, tenancy support as well as a Council-backed Bond to help cover a tenant`s deposit.

To qualify, empty homes must have been empty for 18 months and be in Council Tax bands A, B, C or D. Commercial premises need to have been empty for 12 months.

Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Climate Emergency, said: "It is great to know that our approach of working closely with empty homeowners is working and our five year target has been achieved ahead of schedule.

"With over 8,000 people on our housing register and with demand continuing to outstrip supply this isn't the time to rest on our laurels though.

"The Council is keen to continue to work with empty homeowners and help them bring their home back into use and can offer advice as well as financial assistance.

"The Council`s empty homes grants are there to assist those individuals who are just as keen as we are in transforming former empty and dilapidated properties to provide housing for people on our housing register."

If you would like to find out more about this scheme, please email [email protected] or call 0300 123 8037.