Scotland Launches ‘Matchmaker’ Scheme to Turn Empty Homes into Homes for Families
Scotland has launched a new online “Matchmaker” portal designed to bring empty-home owners together with buyers, developers, and local authorities, helping to get more properties back into use. The scheme aims to tackle the country’s ongoing housing emergency by maximising existing housing stock.
The portal, covering the whole of Scotland, builds on the success of local pilot matchmaker schemes. Empty-home owners can now list their properties online, allowing prospective buyers — including first-time buyers, families, developers, and councils — to submit enquiries and explore purchase opportunities.
Hosted by the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, the portal is part of a £2 million investment in 2025 to recruit additional empty homes officers and fund initiatives that accelerate the return of empty properties to the housing market.
Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said:
“If you have an empty home to sell, this new portal is for you. Making the best use of existing housing stock is central to tackling the housing emergency. Bringing owners and buyers together is a great way of increasing the overall housing supply, whether for affordable housing or the private market, and it complements our ambitious housebuilding programme.”
Over the past 15 years, nearly 13,000 privately owned empty homes have been returned to use, with a record 2,066 homes brought back into use last year alone. McAllan encouraged homeowners to use the portal and seek guidance from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership or their local council.
Tahmina Nizam, National Manager of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, added:
“Every home matters in our collective fight against the housing emergency. Selling an empty home can be daunting, but the matchmaker scheme makes the process easier and supports owners in getting their properties back into productive use. Scotland’s empty homes can make a huge contribution to ending the housing crisis.”
The scheme offers dedicated support through local empty homes officers and the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, ensuring that no property remains unused unnecessarily. Every empty home represents a potential safe and secure space for someone in need, making this initiative a vital step in addressing Scotland’s housing challenges.
