Introduction
Derelict and long term empty properties such as empty homes, disused shops and offices, or dilapidated buildings can be detrimental to our neighbourhoods, may cause blight and portray a rundown, tired area which negates any confidence in regeneration activities or fostering community cohesion.
This policy relates to empty residential properties.
Long term empty residential properties (empty homes) represent a wasted resource and cause a number of problems for the owner and the surrounding neighbourhood.
- the waste of a property that could provide an additional home in an area of high housing need
- they can attract crime and antisocial behaviour including fly tipping, arson and squatting
- they can reduce the value of surrounding properties
- they can cause physical damage to adjacent properties through lack of maintenance
- they can become an eyesore in the neighbourhood
- they can pose a threat to safety, particularly young children
- they can become costly for the owner to maintain
- they can become costly for the Local Authority to investigate and are a loss of Council Tax revenue
In addition increasing numbers of empty residential properties can contribute to the decline of a particular area, the consequences of which include:
- urban degradation through derelict properties, increasing the unattractiveness of inner areas and accelerating population loss
- undermining the aims of current regeneration strategies
- loss of Council Tax income
- loss of services as the population moves away
- owners unable or unwilling to maintain the stock in declining areas
- possible damage due to criminal activity (necessitating intervention by other services) taking place in empty homes; theft of fittings, arson, dumping, drug dealing
- psychological damage to individuals and community created by poor environment
- loss of community as permanent house owners with a stake in the area move out and are replaced by transient tenants and empty homes.