Empty and Derelict Properties

The Private Sector Housing Division has a dedicated Empty Homes Officer whose role it is to provide support and assistance to owners of empty properties and identify ways of bringing long term empty properties back into use.

If there is a home in your neighbourhood that has been left vacant and you are concerned about it, we want to know about it to add to our existing database for recording vacant or abandoned dwellings within the district.

About this service

 We hope to reduce the number of empty privately owned properties by:

• Providing advice and assistance to owners of empty properties on sale, re-let or disposal

• Dealing with statutory nuisances associated with empty properties such as dampness to adjacent properties, disrepair to empty properties

• Bringing together owners who wish to sell their unwanted empty properties to private developers

• Bringing empty properties back into use through the appropriate use of available legislation

If the owner of an empty property does not attempt to work with us and does not make adequate effort to return a property to use, the council may be left with no alternative but to take formal enforcement action against them.

Action may include:

• Enforced Sale

• Compulsory Purchase Order

• Demolition

• Empty Dwelling Management Orders

Some frequently asked questions

Can you help us?

We need to hear from you to find owners of empty properties across the district.

We can also provide details of other services and external agencies that may be able to offer advice and assistance including:

• Advice on energy efficiency measures and Warm Homes campaign

• Accredited Private Landlord Scheme

If you are concerned about an empty property in your area and you wish to report it, or simply would like further advice and information on the above you can contact the Housing Renewal Team on the contact details below or fill in the attached reporting form and email back to the Housing Renewal Team.