08 October 2008Empty properties and derelict land are a disincentive to anyone staying in, or moving to an area. They are visually unattractive and create an impression of neglect and decline. Empty property and land reduces community confidence and well being.
If you own an empty home, it is an asset at risk; what should be making you money is costing you money. Empty properties deteriorate rapidly, are more costly to insure and provide no rental income.
Excluding the cost of vandalism and depreciation, keeping your property empty could be costing you as much as £135 a week (that's £7,020 each year).
Why do properties become and remain empty?
There are a number of reasons why properties become empty, and these include:
Empty Property Strategy
Sevenoaks District Council has adopted an Empty Property Strategy as part of its commitment to work towards bringing empty property back into use.
The aims of the Empty Property Strategy are to:
To view the Strategy in full, click the following link to download Sevenoaks District Council's Empty Property Strategy (
PDF 103K file details) 2004-2009.
How can the Empty Property Officer help me?
By working with a range of partners, the Empty Property Officer will be able to assist owners of empty properties in a number of ways.
First and foremost, the Council can give advice on bringing empty properties back into use. A range of advice on letting properties can be given. For example, tenancy agreements, health and safety requirements, housing legislation, finding a tenant and landlord forum details.
Advice on planning applications
In line with Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 (Housing), the Council is keen to promote sustainable patterns of development and make better use of previously developed land. This will include the re-use and conversion of existing buildings, where appropriate, and locating housing where residents will be less dependant on cars to reach jobs, shops and local services.
The Council wishes to encourage bringing accommodation above shops and other commercial premises into residential use, where appropriate. The Council will therefore be able to provide advice on proposals to change the use of property and on any other building work, which may require planning permission or building regulations approval.
Registered social landlords (RSLs) or housing associations, manage a number of properties in the District. Some RSLs are able to carry out developmental work to refurbish existing properties, or build new. The local authority will be able to refer developers to RSLs, to enable possible partnership working across the district.
Granting Homes Scheme - Empty Property Grant Assistance
Subject to funding, this type of grant may be available to the owners of empty residential properties. If a grant is given there may be conditions attached, such as the Council having tenant nomination rights to the property for a fixed term.
No Use Empty Initiative - Kent County Council
The No Use Empty initiative is a partnership between Kent County Council and the Kent District Councils. It aims to raise awareness of the issue of empty housing and can offer empty property owners advice on the options available to help bring an empty property back into use and the opportunity to discuss whether you could qualify for financial assistance via the scheme.
The No Use Empty website is full of useful information for empty property owners and those looking to buy and renovate an empty property - www.no-use-empty.org
Please click the following link to download a copy of the latest newsletter ( PDF File 242KB file details) for the initiative.
Empty Dwelling Management Orders
New powers for dealing with certain empty properties, known as Empty Dwelling Management Orders (or EDMOs), were introduced in April 2006. EDMOs allow a Council to take over the management (but not ownership) of some residential properties that have been empty for more than six months. Some properties are exempt from EDMOs.
Please click the following link to download an information booklet on EDMOs ( PDF 144K file details) , produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
The Empty Homes Agency have also produced a useful booklet on EDMOs, please click the following link to download a copy - Myth Busting EDMOs ( PDF 80K file details).
Useful Links
The Empty Homes Agency is an independent campaigning charity, which exists to highlight the waste of empty property across England and to find solutions that will bring empty properties back into use. Their website is very helpful and provides information on empty property issues nationally - www.emptyhomes.com
Empty Property Lists - Freedom of Information Act 2000
Following a decision made by the Information Tribunal regarding the release of empty property details, Sevenoaks District Council is revising the provision of empty property lists accordingly.
The decision (dated 10th May 2007) made by the Information Tribunal states that local authorities are not required to disclose details of empty properties, including addresses, where the properties are owned by an individual. An individual is defined as a natural person or beneficiary of a deceased person. However, for properties not owned by an individual the Information Tribunal decision states that details regarding addresses and the owner's name must be made available. This would cover properties owned by public bodies, private companies, local authorities and housing associations.
For further information please click the following link to download a copy of the Information Tribunal's decision on releasing empty property details ( PDF 343K file details).
Contacting the Empty Property Officer
If you are the owner of an empty property and would like further advice, please contact the Empty Property Officer (contact details can be found below). We would also like to hear from you if there is an empty property you would like to report.
Empty Property Officer
Private Sector Housing
Sevenoaks District Council
Council Offices
Argyle Road
Sevenoaks
Kent TN13 1GNe-mail private.sector.housing@sevenoaks.gov.uk
Call 01732 227000
