Information for property owners and residents about empty homes and the benefits of bringing them back into use
Homes that lay empty for a long time are a waste of a scarce resource. With record demands for housing and growing social housing waiting lists, more use must be made of the existing housing stock. Evidence shows that when empty homes are left unmanaged and unmaintained they become subject to vandalism, social issues and degradation. This also negatively impacts on residents and communities.
We have employed a dedicated empty homes officer to help bring long term properties back into use. To do this they will work closely with landlords, their representatives and local community. Their aim is to utilise existing housing stock, whilst reducing the impact of empty homes on neighbouring residents and highlighting the benefits of reuse to the vacant property owners.
If you own an empty property and want some advice, please contact Lorraine Moore on 07729638832 or email lmoore@fenland.gov.uk.
To support the Government's initiative to tackle the national housing shortfall, we are currently contacting all owners of empty properties.
If the status of your property has changed, please contact Lorraine Moore on 07729638832 or at lmoore@fenland.gov.uk.
Please tell us if you are being affected by an empty property in your area. This will allow our Empty Homes officer to look into the situation.
Our Empty Homes service offers Fenland homeowners information, advice and support to bring their empty properties back into use. If you own an empty home, we can:
You also have the option to:
If you are thinking of buying an empty home, or have recently bought or inherited one, we can provide support, assistance and contacts in the refurbishment and future use of the property.
Please note: The empty status of a property moves with the property. If you purchase a property or inherit one and do not move in straight away and the property has been empty for two or more years you will be liable for an increase in your Council Tax payments. See the information below for more details.
We have amended Council Tax discounts to certain types of properties. This is in accordance with Section 11 (as amended) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.
From April 2013:
For classes of property (i) and (ii) above:
For more information, please email counciltax@angliarevenues.gov.uk or call 01354 654321.
Reusing empty and derelict properties can:
Enforcement measures are used as a last resort. This may be when:
In cases of extreme dereliction, urban blight or structural instability, we must act to protect the health and safety of our residents. We are able to: