4. What we do and what we intend to do
What is an empty home?
A house which has been empty for more than six months is a long-term empty home. Empty homes owners may have to pay a Council Tax premium or may be entitled to a discount. Council Tax discounts and exemptions information - Empty property discounts - East Devon.
Why are properties being left empty?
It is important to recognise that not all empty homes are a major problem, there are often good reasons for properties being left empty, for example they can be empty between a change of occupants, they are for sale, or they are undergoing refurbishment.
However, there are increasing numbers of empty homes and properties that are problematic which are left empty for longer than is reasonable. This is particularly acute during a time where there are fewer properties for sale on the housing market.
Reasons a house may be left long term empty
- the owner may be unwilling to consider leasing or letting the property.
- the owner may be temporarily working abroad and intends to live in the property in the future.
- unresolved ownership matters, for example following the death of an owner.
- the owner may not fully appreciate the financial benefit of bringing their empty property back into use.
- the owner may have acquired the property solely for speculative investment purposes and be unconcerned that the property is empty.
- the owner may be a development company, with plans for its future redevelopment.
- the property may be joined to a business property, and the business owner does not want to let it.
- the owner may be in hospital or care.
Property factors
- the property may need major repairs or renovation, and the owner may not have the financial resource to make it habitable.
- there may be problems with accessing the property.
- there may be planning constraints which restrict the occupancy of the property.
- the property has been repossessed or change of ownership.
The benefits of bringing empty properties back into use
Empty homes are a wasted resource; owner pay more Council Tax; they can lead to complaints from neighbours and can cost owners a lot of money to maintain and insure. Bringing an empty property back into use
- increases much needed homes
- generates income for the owner
- contributes to the regeneration of an area
- increases spend in the local economy
- potentially increases the market value of surrounding properties
- reduce the risk of crime and anti-social behaviour at the property
The consequences of leaving a property empty
Some properties remain empty, fall into disrepair and can become a blight on the neighbourhood.
- increased risk of crime and anti-social behaviour such as vandalism, drugs or squatting
- increased risk of complaints from neighbours
- reduction in the value of the empty property and potentially of others within the area
- increased need to build new properties
- reduced investment and spending in the local economy
- an unattractive visual amenity in an otherwise attractive neighbourhood
Objective
The Council has several legislative controls across Council Tax; Planning and Private Sector Housing and Building Control. Our focus is on long term empty homes that have been empty for 2 years or more. By supporting the repair, improvement, adaptation or conversion of empty home to bring them back into use as residential properties, we aim to:
- reduce the number of long-term empty homes in East Devon
- increase the housing supply
- tackle empty property nuisance
The four priorities to bring empty properties back into use are to:
- Provide information, advice, help and support through opportunities and incentives to owners of empty properties
- Proactively engage and work with owners of long-term empty properties
- Improve our neighbourhoods by targeting empty properties that have become the focus of anti-social behaviour and/or causing a statutory nuisance.
- Develop effective partnerships with key stakeholders.
Information
Long term empty home owners and residents wanting to report an empty home can contact Private sector housing - East Devon
Owners of long-term empty homes can find out more about Council Tax discounts, exemptions and premiums Council Tax - East Devon