HomeReporting an empty property
You can report an empty property:
- online by using our empty property form,
- or calling the empty property hotline on: 020 8760 5470.
We will investigate and contact the owner to try to bring the property back into use. Enforcement powers may be used, where appropriate.
Are you an owner of an empty property?
We provide details of schemes and useful contacts to help you bring your property back into use.
We negotiate with owners of empty properties to ensure these become occupied. Once negotiations have started we ask owners to update us on their progress every three to four months.
Where an empty property is the subject of regular complaints from neighbours, we may consider compulsory purchase of the property.
Are you an investor or property developer?
If you are an investor or property developer interested in purchasing empty properties in Croydon you can apply to have your details put on our developers list, where you can outline the areas and property types you are interested in.
This list is sent to owners of empty properties in the borough who are thinking about selling.
To apply please use the developers list online form.
Empty property loans
Croydon Council have recently introduced low interest loans of up to £54,000 for the refurbishment of long term empty properties.
To apply for a loan please complete and return the scheme proposal form below explaining what your plans for refurbishment are. Once the property is renovated it is your choice who occupies the property - so you can sell it, rent it, or even live in it yourself.
The loans are only for the refurbishment of family homes, so loans are only available on 2 bedroom properties or larger. If you have a listed building or a property in a conservation area we may be able to give a loan on a smaller home.
The loan is paid in instalments - 25% at the outset to get you started, and 50% while the refurbishment is going on followed by a final 25% when the work has been completed to our satisfaction. The maximum loan period is 2 years.
The interest payable on the loan is 1% above the Bank of England base rate (currently 0.5%). This interest is calculated daily on simple terms.
This loan cannot be used to purchase a property, and you must have equity available in the property. Full details are available to download below.
If you are interested please download all three documents below (loan covering letter, scheme proposal and the loan guidance notes) and read them carefully. Please contact an empty property officer if you have any queries or need assistance in completing the forms. Once the council has received your completed scheme proposal we will arrange for an officer to visit your property and discuss the loan scheme and the refurbishment you have proposed.
Empty property grant
We have exhausted our grant funds for this financial year and cannot consider any further applications for empty property grants.
If you own an empty property in the borough of Croydon, or are considering buying one, and wish to discuss other options with an empty property officer please call on 020 8760 5470 or email HSG-EMPTYPROPERTY@croydon.gov.uk.
Housing association leasing scheme
A nominated housing association leases your empty property for three years then sub-leases it to the council for the duration of the lease. During this time you will receive a guaranteed monthly payment from the housing association who will also manage and maintain the property at no extra cost to you. For more details see the housing association leasing scheme page.
Landlord bond scheme
This enables owners to rent an empty property on an assured shorthold tenancy basis for a minimum of two years. For more details see the landlord bond scheme page.
Contact Details
| Empty Property Grants (Private Sector) | |
|---|---|
| Job title | Empty Property Officer |
| Department | Adult Services and Housing |
| Telephone | 020 8760 5470 |
| hsg-emptyproperty@croydon.gov.uk | |
| Address | Taberner House Park Lane Croydon CR9 1DH |
