New guidance is being published by the Empty Homes Agency, setting out the
range of strengthened powers local authorities have to deal with the
problem of empty homes, including the use of Empty Dwelling Management
Orders (EDMOs).
While the number of long term empty homes has fallen by nine per cent over
the last decade, Mrs Beckett is calling on councils to take firmer action
to tackle the blight of empty homes and re-use properties. This could
provide a significant contribution to housing supply with new house
building falling right now.
The total number of vacant dwellings in the North East region is 43,963,
with 17,595 being vacant for more than six months.
The guidance sets out how local authorities can use the tools at their
disposal for dealing with empty homes, including:
- Increasing pressure on owners to bring their empty properties back into
use. The guidance makes clear councils should try to track down owners of
empty properties, for example by placing adverts in newspapers, visiting
their home address, or using professional search agencies if appropriate.
- Encouraging local authorities to issue an EDMO as a last resort where
other measures have failed, by explaining clearly how they can be used.
EDMOs allow local authorities to take over the management, not the
ownership, of a property. The guidance shows that even the threat of an
EDMO can have a significant impact on encouraging owners to work with
councils to bring homes back into use.
- Acting on local residents' concerns and petitions to bring empty homes
back into use through a range of powers, including EDMOs. Under the Local
Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill going through
Parliament at the moment, local people will be able to petition councils to
bring empty homes back into use.
Margaret Beckett said "Empty homes blight local neighbourhoods and can
potentially attract anti-social behaviour. That is why councils must do all
they can to bring empty homes in their area back into use.
"I believe that with an increased focus and more consistent approach we can
bring more homes back into use. With house building slowing in the current
economic climate, that is more important than ever.
"The new guidance helps strengthen the role of councils by setting out the
broad powers they have to deal with empty homes, and is part of the range
of actions we are taking to support the regeneration of our towns and
cities."
Empty homes not only restrict housing supply, poorly maintained empty
properties attract vermin, cause damp and other problems for neighbouring
properties. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors also estimates
that properties adjoining poorly maintained empty properties can be
devalued by as much as 18 per cent.
Over the past decade, the number of empty homes in England has declined by
nine per cent, thanks to the efforts of Local Authorities such as
Birmingham, South Oxfordshire, Manchester and Sheffield. Manchester Council
in particular has warned 44 empty homeowners it will issue an EDMO unless
they take steps to re-use the property, a proactive action Mrs Beckett
wants to see more councils taking, and will be writing to local authorities
to make this clear.
Chief Executive of the Empty Homes Agency, David Ireland, said "Local
authorities have the power to be great at helping return empty homes to
use. Some already are, but with the recession causing more homes to fall
empty it has never been more important for all councils to do more. New
homes from empty properties can help meet some of the need left by falling
house building rates. I'm delighted that the minister is supporting this
guidance and urge local authorities to take her challenge to take more
proactive action."
The current Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill
going through Parliament at the moment gives local people the power to
petition councils to bring empty homes back into use and the Government is
also due to bring together local authorities next month to encourage them
to take action on empty homes.
