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In the P&J, on 23 August 2026:

Aberdeen’s housing boss Miranda Radley has lifted the lid on her battle to do up hundreds of empty properties to save the council cash and get people off the waiting list. Aberdeen City Council has brought 400 empty council homes back into use in just a matter of months as part of a major drive to cut costs and ease pressure on the housing waiting list.

In February, a shock government report revealed Aberdeen had more council houses lying vacant than any other local authority across the country — with 2,336 empty at the time.

But that number includes properties marked for demolition, like the Raac homes in Torry, and others used for temporary homeless accommodation.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/7082060/aberdeen-council-empty-homes/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1787461728

Only in the 7th paragraph, and only once in the whole report, do we see any mention that this is an SNP minority administration with the aid of the Lib Dems.

Has Scottish government legislation or other action made this more feasible? There’s diddley on this in the P&J report.

Yes, Scottish Government legislation, funding, and related actions have expanded the tools and incentives available to councils (including Aberdeen City Council) for addressing long-term empty homes, making action more feasible in several practical ways. https://www.gov.scot/policies/more-homes/empty-homes/

Key Scottish Government actions that support this:

• Council tax powers on empty (and second) homes: Regulations dating from 2013 (Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties etc.) (Scotland) Act 2012 and related instruments) let councils vary discounts and impose premiums (extra charges) on long-term empty homes to encourage owners to bring them back into use. Aberdeen and others apply increases (often 100% premium, i.e., double the standard rate) after set periods, with revenue ring-fenced in ways that can support housing/empty homes work. From 1 April 2026, the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 and the Council Tax (Variation for Unoccupied Dwellings) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2026 remove the previous statutory cap, allowing premiums above 100% (or discounts/no premium) with local flexibility by area or case type. There are also rules easing charges for new owners doing repairs. These create stronger financial incentives and potential revenue streams. https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-housing-strategy-guidance-2026/pages/15/
• Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) funding and support: Hosted by Shelter Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government (over £5.7 million since 2010, with continued/increased investment), this provides advice, tools, training, Empty Homes Officers in many areas (including Aberdeen), data support, and a national matchmaker portal (building on local schemes). It has helped return nearly 13,000 privately owned empty homes to use (record numbers in recent years). Aberdeen participates and maintains its own matchmaker activity. https://www.gov.scot/policies/more-homes/empty-homes/
• Other powers and enabling measures: Councils can use existing tools under housing/environmental legislation (e.g., work notices under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 for sub-standard properties, statutory nuisance provisions, and CPOs). Council tax records help identify empties. The Scottish Government has committed to reforming compulsory purchase law to make processes fairer, clearer, and faster (consultation launched around 2025), which would particularly help cases where CPOs are needed for abandoned or problematic empty homes. Guidance also encourages Local Housing Strategies to address empties, second homes, and short-term lets. https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questions-and-answers/question?ref=S6W-15473

Help Talking-up Scotland keep going

Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going

Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421