Article: Empty residential properties Article Body Empty Homes The Government has placed a duty on Local Authorities to bring empty homes back into use. In response to this, Barnsley MBC have launched a new Empty Homes Service, which will concentrate on bringing long-term empty homes in the private sector back into use. What are the consequences of long term empty homes? Wasted housing resources for the Local Authority, which in turn puts additonal pressure on waiting lists for local authority housing Wasted opportunities for the owner e.g additional income from rent or sale A focus for vandalism, fly-tipping, arson, serious crime and anti-social behaviour Deterioration of the property, may cause damage to neighbouring properties Property becomes an eyesore potentially lowering the value of surrounding properties and starting a spiral of economic and social decline Negative impacts on local businesses due to loss of revenue, reluctance to invest in the area Fewer people want to move into the area to live Greater demand on Police and Fire services Full council tax charge is payable on homes which have been empty for six months or more Why do homes become empty, long term? Owners are reluctant to rent out the property due to calibre of likely tenants Landlords unsure what to do, and lack of awareness of alternative management options and advice available Owners are in the process of, or are planning to carry out repairs to the property Property is being kept as a financial investment Property may have been left to someone in a will who may be unware of its existence Delays in dealing with estate of deceased owner Owner has no funds to spend on the property and is unaware of advice available Unable to sell or let due to reputation of the area or the condition/ appearance of the property Unable to let due to over-supply in low-demand area Unable to let because property doesnt meet current needs and preferences Abandonment of property by owner What does Barnsley MBC currently do to address empty homes? Respond to complaints about empty homes Use their legal powers to deal with the external appearance of empty homes, and unsightly land Demolition and clearance of empty homes, as part of wider regeneration schemes Are active members of the Yorkshire and Humber Empty Property Forum Offer grant assistance to empty home owners if the property is a long term empty and falls within a strategic priority area. Please see Empty Property Grants Conditions for more information. In addition to the activity above, Barnsley Council have produced an Empty Homes Strategy 2008-11, which sets out the approach it will take in relation to bringing long term empty homes back into use. The successful implementation of the Empty Homes Strategy will result not only in a reduction in the number of long-term empty homes but will also contribute to reducing anti-social behaviour, homelessness and more generally, help to build sustainable communities. What are the main objectives of the Empty Homes Strategy? To develop intelligence on empty homes To develop an understanding of reasons for long-term empty homes To develop a package of targeted support measures including grants, private sector leasing and equity loans To ensure that support measures link into wider regeneration initiatives To make better use of the private rented sector To increase the supply of affordable housing To help people into owner occupation To make full and appropriate use of legal powers To strengthen performance monitoring and management arrangements What are the benefits of bringing long term empty homes back into use? Increase of housing supply in the borough Opportunities for additional income for the owner through sale or rent Reduction in the crime associated with empty homes: vandalism, fly-tipping, arson, serious crime and anti-social behaviour Reduction in the deterioration of the property, potentially prevent damage to neighbouring properties Potentially prevents the reduction in the value of surrounding properties, and avoids starting spirals of economic and social decline Positive impacts on local businesses due to increase of revenue, and potentially attracts investment in the area More people want to move into the area to live Less demand on Police and Fire services The Empty Homes Service can provide help and advice to owners of long term empty homes to bring them back into use: Contact Write: Empty Homes Officer Economy, Culture and Housing Westgate Plaza One PO Box 634 Barnsley S70 9GG Tel: Empty Homes Officer 01226 775867 Email: emptyhomes@barnsley.gov.uk Opening Times: Monday to Thursday: 08:45am to 17:00pm Friday: 08:45am to 16:30pm Further information Council Tax General Information The Empty Homes Agency is an independent charity. We help people create homes from empty property and campaign for more empty homes to be brought into use, for those in housing need. Empty Homes Department of Communities and Local Governmentsets out the Governments empty home's policy. It provides guidance for local authorities (responsible for tackling empty properties in their area) and people who want to develop empty properties as an investment opportunity or to live in. Empty Homes Strategy 2008-11 is a report focussing on the empty homes in the private sector.