Published: Monday, 2nd July 2018
Cannock Chase Council is participating in the West Midlands Empty Homes Week to raise awareness of the issues empty homes can cause and to encourage empty home owners to bring their properties back into beneficial use.
Residential properties that stand empty in the Cannock Chase District could be providing homes for the many people who need one.
There are over 500 dwellings in the district that have been empty for over six months, a similar picture for other councils across the West Midlands. Some of these will not stay empty because they are on the market for sale or are being renovated but some may well remain empty for several years.
Dwellings remain empty on a long term basis for a variety of reasons, for example because of inheritance issues, due to lack of funds for renovation or because owners are holding on to the property hoping for a rise in its value.
The longer a home is left empty the more likely it is to attract anti-social behaviour, to fall into disrepair and to become a source of anxiety to nearby residents.
On average it costs an owner approximately £8000 a year to keep a property empty. This cost includes rental loss, dilapidation, security, insurance and council tax.
Cannock Chase Council operate an interest free loans scheme to assist owners of dwellings which have been empty for over 2 years. Owners may be able to borrow up to £10,000 to renovate their property. The loan is repaid when the renovations are complete either from the sale proceeds if the property is sold or via instalments from the rental income if the property is let. For more information telephone 01543 464309
The Council’s Housing Options Team can provide specialist help and advice aimed at supporting landlords who manage their own properties. For such advice telephone 01543 462621
Leaving homes empty is a waste, not just in the Cannock Chase area but nationwide the issue causes concern as the numbers of people seeking accommodation rises.
Councillor John Preece, Environment Portfolio Leader said “Cannock Chase Council is committed to tackling privately owned empty homes by working with and providing support to owners to enable them to bring their properties back into beneficial use. In addition to the payment of the Council Tax premium long term empty dwellings attract, there is a likelihood of the properties attracting anti-social behaviour, falling into disrepair and becoming a detriment to the neighbourhood.”
The Council is keen to assist empty home owners with returning their properties to use. However in certain circumstances, and when all offers of voluntary assistance have been rejected, the Council will consider taking enforcement action to bring the home back into use.