The benefits of an empty homes strategy
A successfully targeted and effective Empty Homes Strategy can
help to:
- reduce the risk of serious crime e.g. arson
- reduce the opportunity for vandalism
- reduce the opportunity for squatting
- significantly improve the appearance of the community and the
confidence to be part of it
- improve the value of surrounding properties
- reduce the need to build new homes on Greenfield sites
- increase revenue to the Council through greater Council Tax
income
- bring properties back into use which may relieve pressures
elsewhere in the housing market
- enable the Police, Fire Service and the Council's resources to
focus on other issues or areas for concern
What is the empty homes strategy?
The Empty Homes Strategy sets out how we intend to bring empty
homes back into use, providing much needed , high quality,
affordable housing that is more economically viable than new build.
Environmentally, it is essential to make every effort to renovate
existing properties in order to minimise the need to develop
Greenfield sites. Ensuring that empty homes become occupied can
result in improved environmental conditions and a reduction in the
level of crime and anti-social behaviour often associated with
derelict and empty properties.
What are the aims of the strategy?
- To reduce the number of empty properties in the city.
- To effectively deal with any problems associated with empty
properties.
- To minimise the need for future development of Greenfield
sites.
- To improve the existing built environment.
- To work in partnership with other organisations involved with
empty properties.
- To be proactive in the identification of empty homes.
- To create good quality, affordable housing for those in housing
need in conjunction with the Housing Options Team.
- To raise awareness of empty homes issues.
What is the scale of the problem?
Peterborough currently has 751 properties that have been empty
for 6 months or more - around 1.07% of the total housing stock, and
the Council has a dedicated Empty Homes Project Officer to
implement the strategy. When deciding whether a property is empty
and should be targeted under the strategy the following are
considered:
- Is there a large amount of post visible on the doormat?
- Is there furniture in the property?
- Does the garden look maintained?
- Are there signs of long term disrepair ?
- Do the neighbours know when the property was last
occupied?
- Is the property secure?
What are the benefits of filling empty properties?
To you, the property owner:
- Where renovation work is involved, an increase in the capital
value of your property
- A rental income, this will vary according to the way you decide
to rent your property, but any rent is better than none
- The assurance of knowing that your property is occupied, saving
you from the worry of vandalism, squatters and neighbour
complaints
- If you decide to sell your property, the capital you will
receive from that sale and not having to pay council tax on the
property
To the community:
- A visual and social improvement of the local neighbourhood of
the former empty property
- A home for someone who is in housing need, relieving the
pressure on the demand for social housing
- Increased revenue from council tax for an occupied property,
reducing the burden on other tax payers
- Less complaints to the city council/police and fire services so
freeing up resources to tackle other issues
What support does the strategy offer to an owner who decides to
let out or sell their property?
- The following schemes and initiatives are currently being
developed
- Rent Deposit Scheme, this would guarantee the landlord the rent
deposit
- Housing Association Leasing Scheme, this enables a landlord to
rent out the property through a registered housing association
which guarantees a monthly income.
- Property assessments, these are free inspections of the
property to advise the owner of any defects before the property is
let.
- Discounted Estate Agent Fees where the property has been
identified under the strategy.
- Database of companies who are looking for accommodation to
rent.
- Landlord information Pack.
- Empty Property Grants
What if an owner decides to leave the property empty?
The Council has several options:
- To serve a Compulsory Purchase Order on the property
- To serve a notice to make the owner bring their property up to
the current housing standards
- To apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order - which enable
the council to take over the management of the property for up to 7
years, carry out remedial works and use the property to reduce the
housing need within the city
- Enforced sale
- Demolition Order
Further Information
If you would like more information about the Empty Homes
Strategy or you have a complaint about an empty property please
contact the Empty Homes Officer. You will receive a response to
your enquiry no later than 5 working days from the date of your
enquiry.
If you live near or are the owner of a home that is:
- Empty for at least 6 months
- not in the process of being renovated/sold
- in private ownership
We would like to hear from you.