Currently, around 251 mainstream properties (1.7% of all council properties) in West Lothian are currently without a tenant. This is a significant reduction compared to the number of void properties which was over 500 in November 2023.

There has also been an increase in the number of properties being re-let this year with 1,167 properties re-let, an increase of 111 compared to the same period last year.

All council homes that are returned to the council are classified as being ‘Void’ and all are in need of some degree of repair work or maintenance checks. This can range from a simple electrical safety test to a complete refurbishment including new kitchens, bathrooms, central heating, electrical and plumbing. The condition of void properties determines how quickly the council can turn them over and have them available to re-let.  

Some homes take longer to repair and re-let, for example if there are significant repairs required,  issues relating to utility companies, a requirement to engage with contractors to complete repairs or difficulty in sourcing materials to complete repairs.

Homes that are returned to the council and are in am extremely poor state, are classed as ‘C’ class. These require a significant level of repair which is often complex and time consuming to repair. Unfortunately the council has experienced a significant increase in the number of properties returned in ‘C’ Class.  The number of homes in ‘C’ Class has nearly doubled since 2020/21. 

For the more complex cases, where significant repairs are required, these homes can be out of action for a prolonged period of time.

Executive councillor for housing services, George Paul said: “This is a key priority for the council. A significant amount of effort and resource has been deployed to ensure that we reduce the number of empty (void) properties locally, and ensure they are re-let as quickly as possible.”

West Lothian Council has repaired and brought over 1,300 council properties up to lettable standard since April 2024,  251 more than this time last year and we have had 1,144 properties returned to the council as tenancies were ended.    

Julie Whitelaw, head of housing, customer & building services, added: “Almost as many council homes are returned to us as are re-let which highlights that it’s a continual process to repair, check and re-let empty council homes - which we class as being voids.  This turnover of property is necessary to allow us to offer new tenancies to people who are seeking council housing in West Lothian.

“Properties are handed back to the council for a variety of reasons, such as the death of the tenant, someone gives up their tenancy or they are evicted. What is key is that we turn around the homes as quickly as possible - both in terms of building work and then the re-letting process. We are certainly making progress in that area, but there is still work to be done. It’s our aim to reduce the 1.7% to 1% or below, which we believe would be one of the best performances in the country.”

Even when homes are ready for a new tenant, the majority of first offers are turned down by the next person on the waiting list. This can be due to a number of factors including; an individual turning down a home, the type of home available,  or individuals simply not turning up for appointments with housing officers to view the property.

When someone turns down the offer of a home, the homes is then offered to the next person on the waiting list until someone agrees and signs a tenancy agreement. However it does mean that there will never be 0% of void (empty) homes.