North East England•3 active council schemes

Sunderland empty home schemes

Sunderland runs 3 schemes relevant to property investors: empty-home renovation funding plus landlord incentives (guaranteed rent, rent in advance or deposit cover) for letting to council-referred tenants. Each scheme below links to the council's own page where you can verify eligibility and apply.

Active schemes

Tenant Deposit Guarantee Scheme (Tenant Passport)

Deposit guarantee

Deposit guarantee of up to £750, lasting 24 months; £100 DIY voucher for landlords

Eligibility

The council issues a deposit guarantee of up to £750 in place of a cash bond for vetted tenants who complete tenancy training and hold a Tenant Passport, subject to property inspection and the landlord's agreement. The guarantee lasts 24 months while the tenant saves towards a cash deposit; landlords accepting a guarantee tenant receive a £100 local DIY-store voucher. Contact privatesectorhousing@sunderland.gov.uk.

Sunderland Empty Property Financial Assistance - Grant

Grant

Grant value based on length of time empty (sliding scale, 50% on works + 50% on occupation)

Eligibility

Property owner in City of Sunderland; property empty 3+ months and requires essential works prior to reoccupation. Grant paid 50% on completion of works (surveyor-approved) and 50% on confirmation of occupation. If owner sells within 3 years, sliding-scale clawback applies.

Sunderland Empty Property Financial Assistance - Loan

Loan

Interest-free loan administered by Five Lamps, secured by Land Registry charge

Interest 0%

Eligibility

Property owner in City of Sunderland; property empty 3+ months and requires essential works. Affordability / income assessment by Five Lamps. Pay-back clause if property sold within 3 years.

Notes

Empty Property Financial Assistance Scheme combines a grant (50% on works completion + 50% on occupation, sliding-scale 3yr clawback) with an interest-free loan administered by Five Lamps. Property empty 3+ months requiring essential works.

Council website

Sunderland

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Scheme content is sourced from Sunderland's own published pages and UK government open data (OGL v3). Verified bi-monthly via Proppys' research and review pipeline. Always confirm the latest eligibility on the council's own site before applying.