Waveney District Council has
smashed a key target by bringing a wave of empty properties back in
to use as much needed homes. In the last quarter, the Council has
more than doubled its projected target for the financial
year.
A recent campaign targeted 120 owners of empty properties in
district. It prompted an unprecedented reaction and has led to the
re-introduction of 41 properties to the local market, smashing the
Private Sector Housing Team’s annual target of 20.
Speaking on this recent success, Jason Hall, Principle Private
Sector Housing Officer said: “There are many reasons why homes
remain empty, none of which are unique to Waveney. They range from
landlords that have tired of issues with tenants to relatives not
wishing to have strangers in an inherited family home or properties
tied up in probate. Our efforts have really worked, prompting those
with empty properties to use them for their own, and the
community’s, benefit.
Councillor Sue Allen, Portfolio Holder for Housing added: “With the
national shortage of affordable accommodation, privately owned
properties sitting empty are a wasted resource. We are working hard
on ways to bring long-term empty homes back in to productive use,
to provide much needed, often high quality housing.
“Officers hope that in the next two, to three years, they can
eliminate the majority of long-term empty homes with a combination
of partnership working, publicity, “targeted private and public
funding and appropriate enforcement action.”
The owners of 10 other properties have shown an interest in empty
property grants and these homes require very little in the way of
investment to bring them back into use. Officers will be
investigating options in the new financial year. They are also
working with Taylor Properties in Lowestoft to bring five units
online in May, at the Greenfields site in the High Street.
To report an empty home please call 01502 523119 or email us at
emptyhomes@waveney.gov.uk.
Alternatively, visit the
empty homes page, in the
Private Sector Housing section of this
website.