Trusted National Empty Homes Grant Work Scheme Contractor

Bringing Wales’ Empty Homes Back to Life

Thousands of houses across Wales stand empty – often needing just the right expertise and support to become homes again. Through the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme, you could receive up to £25,000 in Welsh Government funding to restore a long-term empty property and make it safe, warm, and ready to live in.

At Adfer Cymru, we’re here to help you do exactly that – from navigating the grant process to completing every stage of the restoration with care, craftsmanship and precision.

What Is the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme?

Funded by the Welsh Government and administered by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, this £50 million scheme aims to bring up to 2,000 long-term empty homes back into use over the next few years.

If your property has been registered with the council as empty for 12 months or more, you could qualify for a grant of up to £25,000 to cover essential repair work – everything from structural repairs to insulation, damp proofing, heating, plumbing, roofing, and energy-efficiency upgrades.

The goal? To make empty homes safe, comfortable, and energy efficient – reducing blight, restoring communities, and creating much-needed housing across Wales.

How Adfer Cymru Can Help

Restoring homes isn’t new to us — it’s what we do every day.

With decades of experience in renovation, restoration, and council-backed projects, Ian and the Adfer Cymru team understand the balance between compliance, craftsmanship and care.

We can support you through the entire process:

Guidance and Advice – We’ll help you understand eligibility, paperwork, and what the grant can cover.
Survey and Estimate Support – We’ll provide detailed, transparent quotes that align with the local authority’s survey and Schedule of Works.
Full Project Management – Ian oversees every stage – coordinating trusted trades, managing timelines, and ensuring all work meets Welsh housing and building standards.
Quality, Compliance & Care – From insulation and plastering to plumbing, roofing, and rendering, we carry out the grant-funded work to the highest standards – no shortcuts, no surprises.

With Adfer Cymru, you get more than a builder — you get a partner who takes pride in bringing homes back to life.

What the Grant Can Cover

The National Empty Homes Grant Scheme funds essential repair and improvement works, including:

You’ll need to contribute 15% of the eligible work costs (up to £3,750), though this can be waived for applicants in financial hardship in some. You’ll also need to pay for any additional works you choose that exceeds the grant limit.

Who Can Apply?

You can apply if:

The property has been registered as empty (unoccupied and unfurnished) with the local authority for at least 12 months.
It is registered as a domestic property for Council Tax purposes.
You are the owner or a prospective owner who plans to live there as your main residence for at least five years.
The home is within a participating Welsh local authority area (including Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Bridgend County Borough Council, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Powys County Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, and Vale of Glamorgan Council).

Local authorities will inspect and approve eligible works. Once approved, the grant funds will be released in stages as work progresses.

Why Choose Adfer Cymru For Your National Empty Homes Grant Scheme Work?

Restoring old or neglected buildings takes more than just trades – it takes experience, patience, and respect for the structure.

At Adfer Cymru, we have restored homes under this scheme, and have first-hand experience working with homeowners and councils to deliver upon the Welsh Government’s goals to a very high standard.

Here’s why people choose us, and why Councils enjoy working with us:

We don’t just get houses signed off – we make them beautiful homes again.

The Bigger Picture

This scheme is about more than funding. It’s about revitalising Welsh communities, preserving heritage, and giving families the chance to live in homes that would otherwise stand empty.

Adfer Cymru shares that mission – after all, our very name means Restore Wales.

We bring empty properties back to life with the same pride, care and precision that’s made us a trusted name in restoration across the South Wales Valleys.

Ready to Bring an Empty Home Back to Life?

If you own or are buying a long-term empty property in South Wales, the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme could help you fund essential work and create a safe, modern, energy-efficient home.

Get in touch with Adfer Cymru today to find out how we can guide you through the process and deliver a finished home you’ll be proud to live in.

Restore with pride. Build with precision. That’s Adfer Cymru.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Adfer Cymru help me apply for the grant, or do I need to do it myself?

The application must be made directly to your local authority, but Adfer Cymru can support you every step of the way. We’ll help you understand the eligibility criteria, gather the right paperwork, and prepare professional, itemised quotes that align with the council’s requirements. Most applicants find the process much smoother with an experienced contractor guiding them.

When should I contact Adfer Cymru - before or after applying for the grant?

Ideally, before. Speaking to us early helps avoid delays later. We can advise on what the local authority surveyor is likely to look for, provide accurate cost estimates for your application, and ensure that the proposed works will meet grant conditions. It also helps us plan a realistic schedule once approval is granted.

Can you handle all the work the grant covers, or will I need other contractors?

We handle everything. Adfer Cymru brings together all the trusted trades required – plastering, windows and doors, carpentry, plumbing, electrics, heating, roofing, and more.

Ian personally oversees the project from start to finish, ensuring compliance with building regulations and a consistently high standard of work throughout.

What happens if the cost of repairs is more than the £25,000 grant limit?

This is quite common. The grant covers up to £25,000 of eligible works, but if the total cost is higher, you’ll need to fund the difference. Adfer Cymru provides a transparent breakdown so you can clearly see what’s covered under the grant and what’s not, and we’ll help you plan any additional works sensibly to make the most of your budget.

How long does the whole process take - from application to moving in?

Most local authorities aim to issue formal approval within around 12 weeks of application, but timescales vary depending on surveys, legal checks, and paperwork. Once approved, the work itself can take anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks depending on scope. We provide clear timelines and updates throughout, so you always know what’s happening next.

Will the finished home meet modern living standards?

Yes – that’s exactly the point of the grant. The property must be made safe, energy-efficient, and habitable, which means all major systems (heating, plumbing, insulation, electrics) will meet current standards. At Adfer Cymru, we go further, ensuring the finish is something you’ll genuinely be proud to call home – not just “signed off” work.

I’m buying an empty home - can I still apply for the grant?

Yes, as a prospective owner you can apply, provided you intend to live in the property as your main residence for at least five years after the work is completed AND so long as the property has been registered as unoccupied and unfurnished with the local authority for at least a year.

Many buyers use the grant to make a previously uninhabitable home safe and liveable from day one. We can help you structure your application and estimates around your purchase timeline.

Does using a contractor like Adfer Cymru make the approval process easier?

In most cases, yes. Councils prefer working with experienced, compliant contractors who understand building regulations, certification, and the grant process. Our estimates meet the level of detail local authorities expect, and we’re familiar with surveyor requirements – helping to reduce back-and-forth delays and keep your application moving.

Can the works include upgrades beyond the basic repairs?

Yes, but only essential repairs are grant-funded. However, many homeowners choose to add non-grant improvements (like new kitchens, bespoke joinery, or landscaping) while the core work is underway, for an additional fee.

We’ll help you separate grant-eligible works from extras, so you can budget accordingly and decide what’s worth doing now and what can be done later on.

Why choose Adfer Cymru for a grant-funded project?

Grant-funded work demands accountability and an eye for detail – every stage must be certified and meet council and building regulation standards.

With over 35 years’ experience and a record of completing council-backed and heritage projects, Adfer Cymru ensures your property not only passes inspection but is beautifully restored.

We’re not just compliant – we care about the finish, the longevity, and the story of every home we help bring back to life.