CLACKMANNANSHIRE Council is one of thirteen Scottish local authorities to have joined forces with the Empty Homes Matchmaker service to make it easier for potential buyers of empty homes to access even more properties whose owners are willing to sell.

Until now, potential buyers who joined locally run Matchmaker schemes would need to give their details to each council area they were interested in. But now the process has been made simpler by the councils agreeing to pass on buyer details to each other, meaning buyers only need to apply once in order to express interest in empty properties across 13 different council areas.

Matchmaker introduces buyers looking for an investment or renovation opportunity to those looking to sell empty properties and is part of a wider campaign to transform empty properties across Scotland into homes for families and individuals who need them.

Matchmaker services are run by local authorities under the guidance of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, which is run by Shelter Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government.

Clackmannanshire Housing Convenor Les Sharp said, “Increasing the number of affordable homes available to rent and buy is a priority for Clackmannanshire Council, and empty homes are a wasted resource that could be helping to meet the area’s housing need.

“They can also have a negative impact on our communities, and so I welcome this project which helps co-ordinate available housing on a more national level.”