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Highlighting progress in the NorthWest Empty Homes Sector 4:

  • Empty Homes North West
  • September 16, 2025

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: Salford City Council

The team at Empty Homes North West are pleased to highlight the important steps taken by Salford City Council’s Empty Homes Team in the last few months

Bringing More Long-Term Empty Properties Back Into Us

A new five year strategy has been approved to improve housing in the city. Councillors approved the Good Homes in Good Places: Salford’s Good Homes Strategy 2025-2030 at the Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday 28 May.

What It Means

Empty homes represent a significant lost opportunity in the midst of a
housing crisis. As part of Salford’s Good Homes in Good Places Strategy
(2025–2030), this priority focuses on:

  • Prioritising properties left empty for multiple years, particularly in high-demand or high-visibility areas
  • Using a mix of incentives and enforcement to encourage property owners to take action
  • Tackling long-term empty homes, typically those vacant for six months or more
This initiative not only helps to increase housing supply but also contributes to safer, more vibrant neighbourhoods.

Salford’s Tools & Interventions

Salford City Council employs a range of policy levers and practical measures to return empty homes to active use:
  • Council Tax Premiums From April 2025, Salford applies a 100% premium (double the standard rate) on: Long-term empty homes (vacant over 12 months) Furnished second homes that are not primary residences These charges create a financial incentive for owners to sell, rent, or renovate their properties
  • Support for Owners Property owners can access: Advice and guidance on renovation or disposal options Referrals to registered providers interested in acquisition or letting Potential access to grant schemes or low-interest loans (where available)
  • Enforcement Powers When voluntary action fails, the council may use legal mechanisms, including: Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs): to take control of and manage the property Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs): particularly for properties left derelict, unsafe, or in areas of strategic importance
  • Partnership-Led Refurbishment Salford works with housing associations and registered providers to acquire and renovate longvacant homes for social or affordable rent

Case Study: Little Hulton – Transforming Long-Term Empty Shops

In partnership with Salix Homes, Salford City Council supported the redevelopment of a row of long-empty retail units in Little Hulton. Some had been vacant for up to 20 years.
  • The project converted the derelict site into modern, affordable homes
  • The development not only increased local housing supply, but also: Reduced anti-social behaviour linked to the empty properties Enhanced the visual appearance of the local centre Reinvigorated a site that had long been seen as an “eyesore” by residents
This is a model Salford hopes to replicate with similar sites elsewhere in the borough.