Carmarthenshire empty homes: £35,000 loans, £25,000 grants and who qualifies
Owners of empty properties in Carmarthenshire can explore a renovation loan of up to £35,000 per property or a separate grant of up to £25,000. These are different schemes with different conditions, rather than a single £60,000 offer. The council’s support notice, published earlier in October, points owners to its current empty-property newsletter and free advisory visits. That guidance is useful for owners considering renovation, sale, renting or returning to a home.
Funding and conditions
- Houses into Homes loan
- Up to £35,000 per property or unit
- Loan interest
- 0%, with administration fee
- Loan vacancy rule
- At least six months, or conversion
- Separate grant
- Up to £25,000
- Grant residence condition
- At least five years
The £35,000 loan: interest-free, but repayable
The Houses into Homes maximum has increased from £25,000 to £35,000 per property or unit. The newsletter sets an application ceiling of £350,000 for ten units. It describes 0% interest, but an administration fee still applies. The scheme covers homes empty for at least six months and commercial-to-residential conversions. The council says there are no monthly repayments during the loan term. Its published terms allow up to two years for properties to be sold, or three to seven years for properties to be rented. Owners must repay the borrowing; the fee and individual terms should be confirmed with the council.
The £25,000 grant: a home to live in
The National Empty Homes Grant is intended to make a long-term empty property safe, habitable and more energy-efficient. The council newsletter says the property must have been empty and unfurnished for at least 12 months and be listed as a domestic dwelling for Council Tax. Applicants must own it or be in the process of buying it. Successful applicants must live there as their main residence for at least five years after the works. This residence condition matters when comparing the grant with a loan aimed at sale or renting.
Contribution, dates and the application route
Welsh Government guidance requires a minimum 15% applicant contribution and says the grant is paid in instalments as work progresses. Its eligibility rules also require the property to have been listed as domestic for at least 12 months; additional local criteria may apply. Carmarthenshire’s newsletter gives 31 March 2027 as the application deadline, or earlier if funding is fully allocated, and 30 September 2028 for completion of approved works. Grant applications go through the Welsh Government’s linked portal, administered by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. The official guidance and council newsletter are linked below.
Start with the council’s free advice
The Empty Property Team can arrange a free visit to discuss the options for a particular building. Owners can contact privatesector@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or use the council’s empty-properties page to find current advice and support. Neither maximum amount guarantees an award or approval for particular works. Confirm funding availability, fees, security, repayment and any local conditions before committing to a renovation budget.