The issue of empty homes is a growing concern in the UK, with almost 700,000 such properties in England alone according to recent government figures. Of those, more than 261,000 have stood empty for six months or more. While the potential solution seems simple – bringing these dwellings back into use – the process is complex and can involve working with reluctant property owners who may be emotionally attached to their homes or in the midst of lengthy probate processes.
Claudia Bowring, an empty homes officer for a council in the suburbs of Nottingham, has first-hand experience of these challenges. “In some cases, people don’t really understand the seriousness of their property being empty,” she says. “They think ‘well, it’s my house, there is nothing the council can say or do to make me change my mind.’”
Conservative-controlled Rushcliffe, where Bowring works, is one of several councils that charge extra council tax on unoccupied properties. It also has the option of enforcement action and treats derelict properties as an environmental health issue. In some cases, it can carry out emergency repairs and force a sale at auction to recover its costs.
While there is no legal requirement for councils to bring empty homes back into use, Rushcliffe, motivated by a desire to improve residents’ quality of life and ease the housing shortage, has made good progress since committing to the issue in 2019. However, the financial pressures facing some local authorities make empty homes work a “luxury”, according to housing expert Adam Cliff. He is calling for central government support, including a “pot of money” for councils to use as and when enforcement action is necessary.
Campaign group Shelter has also highlighted the plight of empty homes, calling for a “cost-effective and green way” to deliver more social rent homes. Last year, the organisation produced a plan to convert 10,500 empty homes rapidly over three years to address the issue. However, with few indications that the issue is a priority for the current government, those working to bring empty properties back into use face significant challenges
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