Last Updated: 3 April 2024
The negative effect of an empty home on a street and surrounding community can be dramatic. If you let us know about an empty property we can help the owner bring the home back into use.
Empty homes can lead to damp and pests and also attract anti-social behaviour such as vandalism, arson or squatting. This can reduce the value of neighbours' homes.
It’s not difficult to spot the empty home in a street. It usually looks neglected with peeling paintwork, overgrown gardenand no-one coming and going. An easy target for people with bad intentions.
Whydo people leave homes empty
There are various reasons for leaving properties empty such as being up for sale, for rent or are beingrepaired. The previous owner may have died andthe person whoinherits it can take time to decide what to do with the property.
Action on Empty Homes provides more information regarding issues with empty homes.
How we can help empty home owners
There are many waysownerscan bring their empty home back into use. Such as:
- matchmaking services
- property guardianship
One of our priorities is to provide more affordable rented housing. This is very important for people onlow wages whocan’t afford a ‘market’ rent.
What if an owner doesn't wantto bring their empty home back into use
Although wetry to help owners, some will not work with us tomake their empty property a home again.
When this happens we can use enforcement. For example we have successfully used the Empty Dwelling Management Order(EDMO), wherewe canappoint an agent to manage the property for seven years.These homes are let to people inmost need of housing.
