First steps for neighbours
If you are affected by an empty home:
- try to contact the owner
- report the property to our Empty Homes Officer at emptyhomes@highland.gov.uk
- contact the Scottish Empty Homes Advice Service
If the owner is unaware of the issues, informing them may help prevent further damage.
Disrepair and shared responsibility
If you live next to an empty home, poor maintenance may affect your own property. Shared areas such as roofs, gutters or gardens may be covered in your title deeds.
For advice on communal repairs in flats, visit Under One Roof or download the Duty to maintain template letter.
Tracing the owner
Finding the owner can be difficult. You can try:
- requesting a title sheet from Registers of Scotland
- checking the Sasines Register for older records
- searching the Scottish Landlord Register
- looking for planning applications linked to the property
- checking Companies House for registered addresses
- using social media
Our Empty Homes Officer may be able to help. Contact them at emptyhomes@highland.gov.uk