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Highlighting Progress in the North West Empty Homes Sector 3:

  • Empty Homes North West
  • August 26, 2025

Council Spotlight: Bolton Council – Tackling Empty Homes

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be highlighting councils that have made notable progress or introduced innovative approaches within their Empty Homes departments.

This Week’s Spotlight: Bolton Council

The team at Empty Homes North West are pleased to highlight the
important steps taken by Bolton Council’s Empty Homes Team in recent years.

We’re particularly encouraged by their proactive measures, including:

  • Appointment of a dedicated Empty Homes Co-ordinator
  • Use of £540,000 in government funding to bring social housing stock back into use
  • Implementation of strong council tax premiums to discourage longterm vacancy
  • A targeted approach to returning long-term empty homes (1,040+ vacant for 2+ years) to use
Progress in Action Bolton Council has announced that:
“Four properties will be brought back into use before the end of the year, with a further 11 in the pipeline using this funding.”
This work is being funded through a £540,000 government grant aimed at returning empty homes—particularly in the social housing sector—back into meaningful use.

Dedicated Empty Homes Co-ordinator Appointed To drive this initiative, Bolton has recently appointed a new Empty Homes Coordinator, responsible for:

  • Targeted engagement with property owners
  • Coordinating enforcement where homes are affecting local communities
  • Identifying opportunities to strengthen the council's powers
“We will be looking at further opportunities for augmentations, which should be made amongst the various powers the council has available.”
These include tools like EDMOs, CPOs, and enhanced partnership working.

Why It Matters?

With over 4,419 unoccupied and unfurnished properties across Bolton (1,040+ of which are long-term empty), this kind of strategic, person-led approach is exactly what’s needed to reduce vacancy, increase housing supply, and uplift neighbourhoods.
  • Well done to Bolton Council for stepping up to the challenge and showing leadership in the North West. We are looking forward to see further updates and progress in the Bolton council's approach to empty homes.