The number of properties standing empty for six months or longer in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) has dropped by 869 over the past nine years, according to a council report. As of April 2026, 2,687 private sector homes remained vacant for that period, down from 3,556 in April 2017.
Reduction in Empty Properties
In April 2017, long-term empty homes represented 3.8% of RCT's private housing stock, which includes owner-occupied and private rented properties. That figure was above the Welsh average of 2.4% for 2017-18. The council attributes the decline to two successive empty homes strategies approved in 2018 and 2022, alongside the introduction of council tax premiums on long-term empty properties and second homes.
The premium for long-term empty properties took effect in April 2023, followed by a premium for second homes from April 2024. The council report states these measures have acted as a strong incentive for property owners to take action and engage with the council, contributing to a 25% reduction in long-term vacant properties.
Interventions and Funding
Council records show 1,930 interventions have been carried out, resulting in 725 properties being brought back into use. The council has leveraged several Welsh Government schemes to achieve this. The Houses into Homes loan scheme provided £1.85m in loans and funding to private owners, generating a total investment of £2.21m in private housing stock while supporting local supply chains and sustaining employment.
The Valleys Taskforce Empty Homes Grant Scheme secured funding to bring 263 empty homes back into use, with a spend of £4.6m across RCT. Additionally, the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme enabled 121 empty homes to be brought back into use in RCT alone, representing a grant spend of £2.8m and leveraging a total investment of £3.9m in private housing stock.
Partnerships and Future Plans
The council has worked with registered social landlords to obtain £7m of Welsh Government Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme funding, allowing empty properties to be brought back into use and reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation or at risk of homelessness. The Homestep Plus scheme, in partnership with a registered social landlord, supports 24 first-time buyers to purchase a property and brings 24 empty homes back into use.
An in-house RCT social lettings agency is being developed, which manages and lets 54 previously empty private rented properties on behalf of private landlords to individuals currently in temporary accommodation. The council is now conducting a six-week public consultation on the proposed RCT Empty Homes Strategy (2026-31).
