Potential of empty properties unlocked

Councillor Sultan Ali, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rochdale Borough Council, with Mushtaq Khan, Director of Aksa Homes

A property in Heywood which has stood empty since 1999, is being transformed into a new family home.

The run-down property, which has had scaffolding obstructing the pavement and a rear garden which was used as a rubbish tip, has affected local residents and has been a blot on the quiet residential street.

It is eyesores such as this which are set to be transformed as part of the ‘Empty to Plenty’ campaign which has been launched this week.

The campaign aims to stamp out the problems associated with empty properties by refurbishing homes and finding tenants on behalf of owners of empty homes.

The scheme gives landlords the opportunity to rent their property to a housing association who will refurbish the home and find a tenant. The housing association will recover the cost of refurbishment and management fees from the rental income and at the end of the lease period they will hand the property back to the landlord.

More information about the empty to plenty scheme can be found by calling 01706 924 281.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/82587/campaign-to-bring-empty-properties-back-into-use