Over 100 homes brought back into use
Thursday, 6 March 2025
This Empty Homes Week (3 March to 9 March), we're pleased to announce that we've brought 103 empty homes back into use, helping to provide much-needed housing for residents.
Of the homes we've brought back into use this year, over half had been empty for between 2 and 5 years, and 9 had been empty for over 10 years.
Empty homes can have a negative impact on communities, leading to issues such as anti-social behaviour, vandalism and can affect the value of nearby homes.
A home can become empty for any number of reasons including if the owner has passed away with no next of kin, has moved away or is unable to afford renovation costs. But we can help owners of empty homes bring their properties back into use, offering financial assistance and advice to help renovations.
The process to bring an empty home back into use can sometimes take years, as some are owned by vulnerable residents, including those struggling with hoarding.
Where owners refuse to engage with us and tackle an empty property, we can use enforcement action to bring properties back into use. This year we completed our second compulsory purchase order, acquiring a long-term vacant property that had become an eyesore and a target for vandalism. The property will now be refurbished and made available as a home for a local family in need.
Councillor Steven Watkins, our Executive Member for Housing and Assets said:
It’s really important that homes don’t sit empty while people are in need of housing. Every home that remains empty is a missed opportunity to provide someone with a safe and secure place to live.
Long-term empty homes can make an area look neglected, attract vandalism, and drive down property values, impacting the whole community. We’re committed to creating neighbourhoods where people feel proud to live, ensuring our towns remain great places to call home.
Each year our Empty Homes team aims to bring 60 empty homes back into use, so I am pleased they have exceeded their target this year. The team will continue working with property owners to help them bring properties back to life, so if any residents have an empty property near them that they are concerned about, I’d encourage them to let us know.