The number of flats lying empty in the centre of Perth is a ”scandal” which is tarnishing the reputation of Scotland’s newest city, it has been claimed.
There are over 100 vacant flats above shop premises in the city which could be used to provide much-needed housing and help revitalise the heart of Perth.
The issue was highlighted to The Courier by a former Perth resident, Noel Buchan (32), who now lives in Ayr. He said he was ”astounded” at the number of unoccupied properties on a recent visit to his home city.
”Just walking about the High Street and surrounding streets, it is obvious that there are scores of flats which are not in use,” said Mr Buchan. ”With growing numbers of homeless families, it is a scandal to see this situation.
”Perth has aspirations to be a vibrant tourist destination and filling even a proportion of these properties would help to sustain local businesses. Surely it would be good for everyone including the owners of these properties.”
An apparent lack of willingness from some businesses to have people living above their premises has galvanised the authorities into action.
Roseanna Cunningham, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, said: ”Empty properties whether residential or commercial are a real problem. They are a local economy double whammy when a property lies empty it represents lost rental income for the owner, but far more importantly it is a crying shame when there is so much demand for affordable housing to see empty rooms where a home could be.
”The Scottish Government is funding a partnership with Shelter Scotland to help councils to work with empty home owners and I would urge anyone who has an empty property to find out more about the ways in which that property could be tenanted.”
The council has identified around 1,900 vacant residential properties in the Perth and Kinross area, including just over 100 empty flats above shop premises in Perth city centre. Some will be second homes on which the council receives the benefit of council tax at a discounted rate (10%).
”The collection of second homes council tax is earmarked in reserves to be applied in support of the construction of new affordable housing,” said the council. ”We are working to identify those properties that could feasibly be available to meet substantial demands for affordable housing.”
The council has also recently employed a vacant property development officer who will focus on securing the re-use and adaptation of empty, vacant and underused residential and commercial properties.
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said providing affordable housing is a ”key challenge” for the Scottish Government and the council.
”With the UK economy gridlocked by austerity policies, there are limited numbers of new houses that can be built though I am very pleased that Perth and Kinross have nevertheless restarted council house construction,” he said.
”Taking this into account, it is essential that vacant properties become a central part of the solution to housing shortage. I am pleased that Perth and Kinross council continue working with private landlords to house as many people as possible.”
Kristen Huber, coordinator of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, which is funded by the Scottish Government and coordinated by Shelter Scotland, said: ”Bringing empty homes back into use contributes to society positively on a number of levels in particular through housing supply, local regeneration, supporting rural communities and community safety.”