Empty Homes

empty_homes

The Empty Homes Service aims are to prevent homes/buildings standing empty or becoming empty and to preserve and improve the local housing stock. The service offers owners of the empty, residential properties information about leasing schemes, private renting, selling to housing associations, grants etc, and give advice to help bring the property back into use.  

East Devon Empty Homes Strategy 2009-2014

Please click on the link below to view a version of East Devon's empty homes strategy:

PDF file East Devon District Council - Empty Homes Strategy 2009-2014 (1085KB - 09 September 2009 - PDF Help)

NEWS: 23rd March 2009 - VAT should be slashed on long term empty homes to bring up to 300,000 properties back into use, council leaders said today. For full story click here

At any given time, over 4% of Devon’s housing stock is classed as long-term vacant, i.e. vacant for over 6 months. (This does not include properties up for sale).

An empty home is a wasted asset from the point of view of;

  • the owner who could receive income from selling or letting it
  • people in need of housing
  • local residents who have to put up with any problems that it creates

The Government and local Councils consider that;

  • it is vital to minimise the number of empty homes in order to ease pressure on the housing stock and reduce the necessity to develop on “green field” land
  • reducing the number of empty homes reduces opportunities for petty crime, vandalism, arson and anti-social behaviour.

The need to reduce the number of empty homes has been widely recognised in recent years. The Government has introduced or is in the process of introducing a series of measures aimed at encouraging the reuse of empty homes. These include;

  • incentives through lower rates of VAT
  • penalties through higher rates of Council Tax
  • encouraging the development of existing land and buildings rather than “green field ” land
  • comprehensive guidance for Local Authorities and property owners on unlocking the potential of empty properties.
  • the introduction of Empty Dwelling Management Orders as new powers available to local councils

Empty Dwelling Management Orders: Guidance for residential property owners

Individual Local Authorities in Devon may be able to offer empty property grants or other incentives to encourage owners to provide a good standard of rental accommodation. Grants are usually based on a percentage of the total costs. Some Authorities may give grants in return for nomination rights, i.e. the Council will nominate the tenants to occupy the property, usually from their Housing Register.

If you: -

  • own a property that you have kept empty and would like advice and/or help about getting it back into use,
  • are concerned about a house or flat that has been vacant for months or years,

Contact the Empty Homes Service on 0845 111 0276. They will be pleased to help.

There is more information available in our Landlords Information section on our Homes and Housing page.

Other useful websites include:

Empty Homes Agency

NAEPP

Communities and Local Government

No use empty - Kent

Page last updated on 9 September 2009