Reducing the number of empty homes helps to increase the number of homes available, bring properties back into use and remove properties that are eyesores or attract anti-social behaviour.
Support with an empty house
Reducing the number of empty homes helps to increase the number of homes available, bring properties back into use and remove properties that are eyesores or attract anti-social behaviour.
When a property is left empty for too long it can:
- Attract crime and anti-social behaviour
- Fall into disrepair and/or become dilapidated
- Affect the image of an area
- Devalue surrounding homes
- Stop people who are homeless or vulnerable from getting a home
Empty home owners
There are a range of options available to an owner, including:
- Occupying the property yourself or moving in a relative or friend
- Renting or leasing your property.
- Selling your property on to an owner/occupier, developer or housing association.
Bringing properties back into use
If you own a property that is unoccupied, help may be available to bring the property back in to use. This could include:
- Guidance on how to sell your property
- Guidance on how to rent out your property – the landlord accreditation and tenancy bond schemes
- Financial assistance
- Help to maximise property opportunities e.g. conversions etc
- Advice on how to find a suitable builder
Benefits of bringing empty homes back into use
- There is added security against anti-social behaviour, crime and squatting
- You can charge rent if you become a landlord
- You will have long term investment potential
- The property is no longer a local ‘eyesore’
- Improves the local area, making it more attractive to investors
- It becomes a safer area to live in.
When do we take enforcement action?
We try as much as possible to work alongside owners to bring properties back into use. But where an owner is unwilling to cooperate and their empty home is causing issues in the neighbourhood, we have to consider legal action.
Options available to us include:
- Statutory enforcement action - We use a wide range of enforcement powers to make sure an owner improves their property
- Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) – Enables the Council or a nominated party (usually a registered provider) to take over management of the property for up to seven years
- Enforced sale - Allows the sale of an empty property to be forced to recover debts owed to us
- Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) - When we buy a property from an owner even if they don't give their consent.
Matching empty homes with potential buyers
The join the matchmaker scheme is a free service that matches empty homes with possible buyers.
You can join the matchmaker scheme if you own an empty property that has been unoccupied for six months or more, or are interested in buying an empty property.
For further information, you can read our Empty Homes Strategy (PDF).
Further information
If you would like to know more information please ring 0151 443 4712 or email [email protected]
Do you have to pay Council Tax on an empty home?
Empty properties may be entitled to a Council Tax discount under certain circumstances.
Empty homes in your area
If you are concerned about an empty property in your neighbourhood you can Report it here.
Further advice and support
See our list of useful websites for owners, renovators, landlords and tenants: