Support for owners of empty homes

Reducing the number of long term empty homes is one of our key priorities. We are committed to supporting owners of empty homes to assist in their efforts to bring them back in to use to provide much needed housing.

Support for owners of empty homes

We work with owners of empty homes with a view to getting the property back into use. We can provide advice and assistance with:

• Empty Homes financial assistance

• Selling to a private developer or a registered housing provider

• Selling on the open market

• Selling through a residential property auctioneer

• Advertising your property for rent

• Providing a letter to support VAT reduction for renovation work

• Advice about keeping your empty home safe and secure.

Enforcement action

If our attempts to work with owners of empty homes are not successful and a property remains empty, we can use a range of measures to help bring the empty property back into use. The options available to us include:

Empty Dwelling Management Order
We can apply for authorisation to make an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO).

If the Council is successful we can then take over the running of the property for up to seven years and bring the property back in to use. (Housing Act 2004).

Enforced sale of the property
Legislation is available to us which allows us to enforce the sale of a property to recover costs (unpaid debts) placed as charges against a property. (Law of Property Act 1925).

Compulsory Purchase Order
A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) allows us to take ownership of the property from you and bring it back in to use. (Housing Act 1985).

We will also consider action under the:

• Building Act 1984

• Town and Country Planning Act 1990

• Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982

• Environmental Protection Act 1990

 

How to get help from the Empty Homes Team

• Contact the Empty Homes Team to discuss how we may be able to assist you with your efforts to return your property back into use by email: emptyhomes@stockton.gov.uk or telephone: 01642  526687.

• To report an empty home: email emptyhomes@stockton.gov.uk or telephone: 01642 527797.