Empty properties

How to report an empty property

• online
• call the empty property hotline, tel. 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 have details of schemes and useful contacts to help you bring your property back into use.

We want to work with you to negotiate a way for the property to be occupied. Once negotiations have started we will as for updates on your progress every three to four months.

If we receive regular complaints from neighbours about an empty property, 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, including areas and property types you are interested in, added to our developers list.

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 grants and loans

Empty property grants are available to owners, freeholder or leaseholder, of flats and houses in the borough which have been empty for at least six months and require essential repairs and improvements.

An empty property grant can cover the reasonable cost of eligible works to repair or renovate a qualifying property and make it suitable for occupation. Where an applicant has planning permission for conversion of a commercial or residential building into residential accommodation, we will consider this for funding as well. Certain energy efficiency works can also be funded. The council requires nomination rights for the future tenants for a minimum period of five years.

Further information, including the application form and other essential documents, is available from the downloads link at the bottom of the page.

If you are considering applying for an empty property grant please read through the covering letter first to ensure that you complete and return the correct forms.

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

Empty property loans

We have an empty property loans scheme to help owners bring empty properties back into use. Loans granted under this scheme will be for a maximum period of two years and can be up to £40,000 for a property with two or more bedrooms.

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

Landlord schemes

A number of schemes are available for landlords with properties within the M25 including Kent and Sussex who wish to work with us as part of our housing solutions strategy. 

We can provide a seamless lettings service to accommodate your needs free of charge, offer a range of generous monetary incentives, deposit bonds and all legal documentation such as tenancy agreements. For more details of the service we can offer see the Letting services and initiatives page.

For more details of the schemes available see the Housing Initiatives schemes page.

Using a scheme with grants or loans

Not all of the landlord schemes can be used with the Empty Property Grant or Loan mentioned above. For further information please contact the empty property officers on 020 8760 5470 or email hsg-emptyproperty@croydon.gov.uk.