Welsh government urged to recognise landlords’ role in tackling empty homes

An industry body has urged the Welsh government to support PRS landlords to help tackle the empty homes crisis.

Propertymark gave evidence to the Senedd’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on empty homes, calling on the Welsh government to recognise the role private landlords can play in bringing vacant properties back into use.

The news comes as councils in England will be able to take control of homes left empty for six months under government plans to cut the current two-year threshold.

Recognise importance of PRS landlords

Propertymark told the Committee the Welsh government must recognise the importance of PRS landlords in providing housing.

The industry body writes on its website: “Continued funding for the National Empty Homes Grant, which provides up to £25,000 towards essential repairs and energy-efficiency improvements, is welcome. Our campaigning helped lead to the scheme’s introduction in 2023, and its extension to March 2027 provides further support to return neglected properties to use.

“However, applicants generally must occupy the property as their main and only residence for at least five years after the work is completed.

“We told the Committee that these restrictions limit what the scheme can achieve. Supporting an owner to renovate a home for private rent could also provide much-needed accommodation.

“The Welsh government needs to define clearly who it considers a housing provider when targeting financial support. Private landlords provide homes, yet their contribution is not consistently recognised by government and local authorities. Funding should reflect the role they can play in meeting housing need.”

Doubling council tax on empty properties is a blunt instrument

Propertymark also warned the Welsh government against doubling council tax on empty properties.

The industry body said: “Doubling council tax on empty homes is a blunt instrument, particularly where owners face barriers to selling, letting, or renovating a property.

“The Committee should examine whether higher charges are linked to effective action to reduce vacancy. Raising revenue does not, by itself, demonstrate that a council is helping owners return homes to use.”

The industry body also called for councils to appoint dedicated empty property officers to work with owners to bring vacant homes back into use.

However, Propertymark acknowledged the financial pressures facing local authorities, arguing that if the discretionary role becomes a statutory requirement, it must be backed by dedicated central government funding.