How we’re tackling empty properties

Homes become empty for a variety of reasons. While many routinely become empty as a consequence of being sold and are then re-occupied, other homes remain empty for a wide range of other reasons.

Returning empty homes back into use can enhance local neighbourhoods through:

  • maintaining property values
  • providing increased housing options for local residents
  • improving the sense of pride in a local neighbourhood.

Empty homes can easily fall into disrepair or attract acts of vandalism. They have the potential to impact negatively on the local neighbourhood, but also on the wider housing market. Minimising the number of long-term empty homes in the borough reduces unsightly premises and also helps to improve the local economy.

Our empty homes plan 2015 to 2018 sets out three key priorities:

  • to minimise the number of empty home interventions managed by us
  • to maximise opportunities for returning empty homes back into use through initiatives and incentives
  • to use innovative interventions to bring empty homes back into use.

View our empty homes plan