Grant aid offered for rental homes

Owners of empty properties are being offered grants of up to 12,000 to improve them and make them fit to live in.

In return, those properties will be tied into a five-year management agreement with St Leger Homes, which will find tenants for the properties and let them out at affordable rates.

A survey had found many owners of vacant homes would like them to be used but did not have the money for improvements.

Councillor Patrick Wilson, who is Doncaster Council's Cabinet member for housing, said: "In Doncaster we have too many empty properties and a shortage of affordable housing – this scheme is a good way to solve both problems."

For further details on the scheme call 01302 737551.