Empty Homes A property that remains empty can cause problems. If the empty dwelling is insecure it can attract vandals and soon become a liability. If it becomes extremely run-down it is also a safety risk.
Empty homes can be a blight on an area and threaten the welfare of the local community. If a privately-owned home is causing problems similar to this, report it to us now. Phone our Empty Homes Co-ordinator on (01685) 725373 or visit us at the Civic Centre
What happens next?
We will investigate the problem and send the owner an official request to secure the property and clear any rubbish. If they fail to respond, or refuse to act, we can do the work in default and send the owner the bill. If they refuse to pay, we can place a special charge on the property which means that the owner can only sell the property if the debt is paid. We can even ask the court to force the owner to sell the property at an auction (this is called an 'enforced sale').
The bigger picture
We will inspect as many empty home's as possible. We intend to continue to promote the return of vacant dwellings back into occupation. We will encourage private landlords and developers to work in partnership to improve their management arrangements and bring empty properties back into use.
Homeowners with problem accommodation
Do you own a property that is neglected and in disrepair? We are determined to tackle the blight caused by problem properties.
We can provide you with professional advice telling you how to put things right. But if owners can't or won't co-operate, enforcement legislation permits the Council to carry out essential repairs. If the owner still won't pay the Council for the work, we can use our legal powers to force the sale of the property - usually at auction - and recover our costs from the proceeds of that sale.
We recognise that most owners will want to bring their properties back into use. So our enforcement policy is fair and consistent.
Find out more
We don't want to take legal action. We would prefer owners to take the responsibility themselves. So if you're in this position, talk to us now - otherwise you could lose your property and receive less than you thought that you would.
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