Latest on plan to re-use empty properties in Merthyr

Merthyr Tydfil is currently on track with its target of bringing 7% of empty properties back into use each year

A Welsh council is on track to meet its target for bringing empty properties back into use.

Merthyr Tydfil council has a target in its Empty Property Strategy 2022–2026 to bring 7% of empty properties back into use each year with a specific target being to bring 200 back into use by the end of the period covered by the strategy.

Figures in a report to the council’s Thriving scrutiny committee show that in 2022-23 there were 582 long-term empty properties in Merthyr Tydfil of which 41 (7.04%) were brought back into use.

In 2023-24 there were 529 long-term empty properties in Merthyr Tydfil of which 39 (7.37%) were brought back into use.

In 2024-25 there were 539 long-term empty properties in Merthyr Tydfil of which 43 (8%) were brought back into use.

And in 2025-26 there were 479 long-term empty properties in Merthyr Tydfil of which 47 (9.8%) were brought back into use.

The report says performance has met or exceeded the 7% annual aim in each year of the strategy to date and that overall delivery remains consistent with achieving the 200 property target by the end of the strategy period.

In 2025-26 the council used 46 interventions which helped bring properties back into use including 25 related to financial assistance (grants), 15 interventions involving advice and guidance, two involving enforcement action, two related to leasing schemes, and two direct interventions through council tax.

The National Empty Property Grant Scheme is administered by Rhondda Cynon Taf on behalf of participating local authorities including Merthyr Tydfil.

The scheme launched in 2023–24 with a maximum grant value of £25,000.

Under the original design of the scheme the council contributed a 10% match-funding element.

But the Welsh Government has confirmed that, for applications approved after April 1, 2026, local authorities will no longer be required to provide the 10% match-funding element (except for applications approved before that date). Stay informed on everything Merthyr Tydfil by signing up to our newsletter here.

The Welsh Government has also confirmed an extension of the National Empty Homes Grants scheme until September 2026.

In Merthyr Tydfil 10 grants were approved in 2025-26 and 12 grants were completed.

So far, since 2023-24, Merthyr has paid out ££522,863.60 in grant funding on 22 completed applications.

The total amount of 10% match funding paid into the scheme by the council so far is £52,286.36

The current number of applications approved before April 1, 2026, which are awaiting completion is 13.

The maximum match funding contribution for Merthyr Tydfil council is £32,500.

When it comes to enforcement activity around complaints in 2025-26 there were 27 complaints received about empty properties.

There were 17 site visits, 11 notices served, the number of works in default was six, and the number of complaints referred from environmental health to planning was three.