Empty Homes
An empty home is a wasted resource both for the owner who could
otherwise make financial gains by letting or selling the property,
and for those who are in need of housing. In addition, empty homes
can have strong negative impacts both on residents living in the
neighbouring vicinity and the wider community.
Property owners should generally be free to decide how their
property is used. However, this fundamental right needs to be
balanced against the rights of others living in the community in
which the property is located. In ensuring a reasonable balance is
struck, there is a legitimate public interest in ensuring empty
homes do not have an undue impact on the local community, and where
they do there is a reasonable prospect that the matter will be
resolved.
Our strategy for dealing with empty homes is to encourage
responsible ownership through a variety of methods:
Free advice and information to owners on options
available
- Advice to prospective Landlords
- Assistance assistance to repair or
improve empty homes
- Enforcement action, where
appropriate, on problem properties
In recent legislation the Government proposes that Local
Councils use Empty Dwelling Management Orders to enable them to
take over the management of an empty property.
Contact Details
To report an empty home or for more information contact:
Ismene Broad
Property Standards Enforcement Officer
Telephone 01386 565341 - between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Fax 01386 561092
Email ismene.broad@wychavon.gov.uk
or download our advice leaflets
Relevant Forms & Publications
