Published: Monday, 15th October 2018
Cannock Chase Council is participating in the National 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. Similar figures exist in comparable local authorities. Some of these dwellings will not stay empty because they are on the market for sale or are being renovated but others may 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 empty property loans scheme to assist owners of dwellings which have been empty for over two years. Owners may be able to borrow up to £10,000 to renovate their properties. The loan is repaid when the renovations are complete either from the sale proceeds if the property is sold or via installments 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. If you are thinking of letting your empty home and would welcome some advice telephone 01543 462621 and ask for the Housing Options Team.
Leaving homes empty is a waste and the issue causes concern as the number of people seeking accommodation rises.
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 as a last resort taking enforcement action to bring the home back into beneficial use.
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