Alarming rise of empty homes across England

Alarming rise of empty homes across England

0:02 AM, 17th November 2023, About A year ago 7

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Empty homes in England have risen by more than 10% over the past five years, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).

The LGA and Empty Homes network study reveals that one million properties across England in 2022 were unoccupied, an increase of nearly 60,000 homes since 2018.

Despite the introduction of an empty homes premium in 2013, aimed at encouraging owners to bring empty properties back into use, numbers continue to rise not only across England but in Scotland and Wales.

Affordable and sustainable housing

The LGA say at a time of critical housing need, both government and councils need to consider the supply of safe, affordable and sustainable housing as a top priority.

According to the LGA, there are currently more than one million people on council housing waiting lists and 104,000 households living in temporary accommodation.

The association says even bringing just 10% of these empty homes back into use could help to find permanent homes for these households in temporary accommodation.

Existing measures are falling short

Councillor Darren Rodwell, housing spokesperson for the LGA said: “At a time when we face a chronic housing shortage across the country it is wrong for so many homes to be left empty.

“Councils work hard to address the issue, but the existing measures are clearly falling short.

“Councils share a collective national ambition to tackle local housing challenges. The government should also support this ambition by using the Autumn Statement to implement our six-point action plan so that councils can resume their historic role as a major builder of affordable homes.”

Adam Cliff, secretary and policy lead for the Empty Homes Network, added bringing empty homes back into use can help housing supply.

He said: “At a time where the demand housing is so high, working to bring empty homes back into use can not only support meeting this need, but can encourage inward investment, improve communities and enhance the lives of those who currently live near empty homes.

Stimulate housing supply

The LGA six-point plan includes government support to set up a new national council housebuilding delivery taskforce and roll out five-year local housing deals to all areas of the country that want them by 2025.

The association says its plan will provide the funding, flexibility, certainty and confidence to stimulate housing supply.


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Easy rider

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10:07 AM, 17th November 2023, About A year ago

We need to know who owns the properties, how much it would cost to make them meet the decent homes standard and why the owners are leaving them empty.

Some will be stuck in probate, some undergoing renovation and some will be very poor housing in need of demolition. Others could be brought back in to use very quickly.

Just quoting the sensational ‘One million’ number doesn’t tell the whole story.

Nikki Palmer

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11:21 AM, 17th November 2023, About A year ago

There are two points to note here - empty property is empty for many reasons and whilst I appreciate the shortage of housing across the UK, these houses belong to people who I assume have them empty for a reason.

Second point is how much has the Empty House department of all local authorities across the UK been paid in salaries over the last 10 years and could that money not have been put to a better use?

If it is concluded that it's not working then I am sure the money from their wages could be used towards building more housing

DPT

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12:34 PM, 17th November 2023, About A year ago

No doubt Cive Betts will have some ideas.

Roogy

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7:57 AM, 18th November 2023, About A year ago

There is a house near us that’s been empty for two years, the previous owner died intestate. This process needs speeding up

Easy rider

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9:39 AM, 18th November 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Nikki Palmer at 17/11/2023 - 11:21
We need to ensure properties are used for the purpose they were intended. Nobody should be allowed to keep a property that is empty for any reason.

Planning should not be granted for new homes in areas with large numbers of empty properties (unless the demolition of those properties is undertaken).

A 45 year old property in my area has been empty for almost 30 years. Its appearance detracts from the street and could be worth £300k if renovated. The property should be subject to compulsory purchase in my opinion. The council and my local MP are not bothered. Meanwhile, every bit of green space is being built on. It’s a disgrace.

Nikki Palmer

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9:58 AM, 18th November 2023, About A year ago

I agree that empty property can start to deteriorate quickly and is a valuable resource.
My point is exactly what you have also mentioned and that is that local authorities are not interested so why are they paying good money to employ Empty Homes teams when that money could be better utilised elsewhere?

Easy rider

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9:51 AM, 20th November 2023, About A year ago

There will be more empty homes as landlords struggle to finance essential repairs and non-essential but government imposed decent homes standards such as kitchens and bathrooms to be no more that 20 or 30 years old regardless of the condition.

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