Council ‘must seize empty houses’

Rochdale council should do more to bring thousands of empty homes across the borough back into use, the Government has said.

Housing Minister Margaret Beckett wants councils to tackle the blight of empty homes and provide a new housing supply.

Latest figures estimate there are more than 3000 empty properties in Rochdale.

Mrs Beckett said: “Empty homes blight local neighbourhoods and can potentially attract anti-social behaviour. That is why councils must do all they can to bring empty homes back into use.

“I believe that with an increased focus and more consistent approach we can bring more homes back into use. With house building slowing in the current economic climate, that is more important than ever.

“The new guidance helps strengthen the role of councils by setting out the broad powers they have to deal with empty homes, and is part of the range of actions we are taking to support the regeneration of our towns and cities.”

Ministers have published guidance for local councils which makes clear they should try to track down owners of empty properties, by placing adverts in newspapers, visiting their home address, or using professional search agencies where appropriate.

Councils should also act on residents’ concerns and petitions to bring empty homes back into use. They have had powers to seize empty homes for three years but many have been reluctant to use the Empty Dwelling Management Orders — with only 20 houses taken from the owners nationally.

Throughout the UK there are almost 700,000 properties currently standing empty — including 294,000 that have been uninhabited for more than six months — while the shortage of housing stock continues.

Homeless charity Shelter’s chief executive Adam Sampson said: “Shelter welcomes these guidelines, which clearly define councils’ powers.

“However, councils must back these powers by finding additional financial resources so they can impose more Empty Dwelling Management Orders on long-term empty properties and bring them back into use.”

He added: “However, bringing vacant homes back into use is only part of the solution to the crisis.

“Building more affordable and especially social rented homes for those in the greatest need is also essential.”