Greens urge Scottish Government to bring empty homes back into use

The Greens have called on the Scottish Government to “make good on its promise” and introduce new powers that would bring thousands of empty homes back into use.

Ariane Burgess said she had secured a commitment from ministers earlier this year to strengthen enforcement powers and reform compulsory purchase orders to make it easier to acquire properties.

Data released earlier this month showed there were 43,538 empty properties across Scotland.

Nearly three-quarters of these (73%) had been empty for more than a year.

There were 21,606 second homes also recorded in 2024 – down 10% since the year before.

Ms Burgess, an MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said councils needed “robust” powers to ensure vacant homes are brought back into use.

She said: “Bringing empty homes back into use is a win-win – it can provide much-needed housing and revitalise communities.

“While the vast majority of people will want to see empty homes brought back into use voluntarily, there are some that are stuck in a broken and cumbersome system.

“It is in those cases that councils need powers with real teeth.

“We need robust powers to ensure that long-term empty homes are brought back into use and I look forward to hearing the outcome of the compulsory purchase orders review in the New Year.”

Ms Burgess said in the Highlands and Islands region alone there are 6,823 homes that have been empty for more than a year, while another 7,870 had lain empty for at least six months.

“That’s almost 15,000 homes lying empty in the midst of a housing emergency,” she said.

“The Scottish Government and our local authorities must look for innovative ways to get those homes back into use.

“We know this can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of new buildings.

“It’s also vital that all levels of government are working to support renovation and retrofit of empty homes.

“Some councils are doing brilliant work using in-house specialist empty homes officers, but the recently announced planning hub could also provide a resource for councils to call on.”

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “We have allocated £80 million to councils over this year and next to increase the supply of social and affordable homes through acquisitions including bringing long-term voids back into use.

“We have also introduced more powers for local authorities to allow them to increase council tax up to 100% on certain properties empty for one year or more as well as on second homes.

“We will also invest £2 million next year to help local authorities unlock barriers, develop a targeted approach and embed empty homes work across their services to bring more privately owned empty homes back into use.

“This builds on our track record of bringing almost 11,000 privately owned homes back into use as warm, safe and secure housing since 2010.

“Our compulsory purchase reform programme has made substantial progress: we published a Progress Report on 18 December and in 2025 we will publish a consultation on a comprehensive package of proposals to reform and modernise the system.”