Empty homes
Overview
We wish to encourage the owners of empty properties to bring them back into use to help meet housing demand. We have devised an empty homes strategy which not only sets out our strategic priorities but also explains how we will bring 1,000 long-term empty homes back into use over the next five years.
How does a home become empty?
We understand that homes become empty for a variety of different reasons, including the following;
- Owner has gone into care
- Owner has passed away
- Repossession
- Fire/flood
- Relationship breakdown
- Awaiting planning consent and or demolition
- Tenant leaves or is evicted
- Prohibition order
Why do they remain empty?
The main reasons for properties remaining empty
- Lack of funds to carry out any necessary repairs/renovation
- Owner has health issues, which hinder or stop renovation work
- Property investors waiting for the right time to renovate and sell or let
- Family disputes such as inheritance or divorce
- Waiting for probate to be granted (or applied for)
- Finding tradespeople to conduct the work
- Property is being used to store possessions (i.e. hoarding)
Complete an Empty Homes Survey as a property owner
There are currently in excess of 2,000 long term empty properties in the Cheshire West and Chester area and we are committed to reducing this number. Empty properties can cause a number of problems and cost money. These problems can include increased levels of crime and anti-social behaviour, a negative impact on the neighbourhoods’ appearance and not being available for much needed housing accommodation.
Even if these issues are not a problem at present, they may be in the future. We are responsible for reducing the problems caused by empty homes and as such we are developing a range of options designed to help owners to return their properties to use.
Bringing an empty property back into use will benefit everyone concerned; yourself, the local community and service providers.
We are keen to understand the various reasons why properties are left empty. The findings from this survey should help to improve the services available to owners of empty homes in a way which meets their needs.
