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: 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 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 Compulsory Purchase Order We will also consider action under the: 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. Email: [email protected] or telephone: 01642 526687. To report an empty home email: [email protected] or telephone: 01642 527797.
Enforcement action
We can apply for authorisation to make an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO).
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).
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).
How to get help from the Empty Homes Team
Can't find what you're looking for? Let us know and we'll do our best to point you in the right direction