BETWEEN 200-250 empty homes could be brought back to life annually over three years if Glasgow councillors approve the next stages of a housing strategy.

Members of Glasgow City Council will examine the proposed empty homes strategy for the city at committee next week.

If approved officers will be aiming to bring these homes back into use as part of the council’s commitment to increasing the city’s housing supply and the wider Glasgow Housing Strategy.

Glasgow currently has 2687 houses listed as being empty for six months or more which does not include second homes.

The Glasgow Housing Strategy - now halfway through its five-year life - had set a target of between 475-570 long-term empty homes being returned to use by end of that period, which is ahead of schedule.

There are already 380 homes now back in use, most of which are now socially rented.

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The most common reasons for homes becoming empty for a long time include mortgage default and repossessions, deceased or untraceable owners, property title issues and properties which have fallen into a poor state of repair.

Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010, local authorities can now use Council Tax records to identify vacant homes and bring them back into use, and from 2018, a surcharge of up to 100 per cent Council Tax can be charged to owners of empty homes which are not being marketed for sale or rent.

Glasgow is the only Scottish local authority which alerts homeowners prior to this application of the premium charge, with 433 owners notified of this up to eight weeks before it was applied.

The council will also promote the reporting of empty homes in local areas to help develop a city-wide database of such properties.

Compulsory purchase powers will be used and the local authority will work with registered social landlords to provide assistance to buy empty homes through its acquisition strategy.

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Key aims of the housing strategy include: increasing the availability of housing stock to meet demand, providing good-quality accommodation for those who need it and offering homeowners information and advice to help bring properties back into use.

The initiative also identifies opportunities for suitable housing for particular groups, such as larger families, homeless people, and those with a variety of support needs, tackling environmental and neighbourhood blight, safeguarding the interest of tenement flat owners to facilitate common repairs work and working closely with registered social landlords to deliver these objectives.

The final decision of approval will be made by the city administration committee.