Empty properties
Empty properties are a waste of potentially available housing, and can often be a blight on an area. Hertsmere Borough Council has a duty to bring empty properties back into use, and thus maximise the available housing stock.
Empty residential properties
With the ever-increasing demand for housing, Hertsmere B orough Council aims to bring empty properties back into occupation. This becomes a priority where properties have been left empty for a long period, or are having a detrimental effect on the neighbourhood.
Why empty homes matter
Empty properties can attract pests, rubbish dumping, graffiti, vandalism, squatting, break-ins and arson. As well as the environmental factors, empty properties can cause great concern to neighbouring homes because the value of surrounding properties could deteriorate.
Empty properties represent a wasted resource in the borough and the Government expect the council to encourage empty homeowners to make every effort to bring these properties back into use.
The cost of an empty home to its owner
If a property is left empty, the owner could face the following problems:
- property deterioration;
- insurance for the property can be extremely expensive or impossible to get;
- liability for the payment of council tax;
- the potential for earning an income from the property is lost.
What are the choices for an empty homeowner?
To bring an empty property back into use, the owner could consider:
- living in the property themselves;
- renting the property;
- selling it on the open market, either through an estate agent or a specialist auction.
The private sector housing team can offer further advice on the best way for the empty property to be brought back into use.
What if the empty homeowner wants to keep the property empty?
The council can take appropriate enforcement action, for example when the property is:
- harbouring vermin;
- causing damp etc to adjoining properties;
- unsecured;
- a severe eyesore;
- structurally unsafe.
It is unreasonable for homes to stand empty indefinitely. As a last resort the council may make an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) or Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) when owners show no serious intention of restoring empty homes to use.
If you know of a long-term empty property or are affected by a long-term empty property, then you should contact the private sector team.