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 owners, landlords, their representatives and the local community. Their aim is to identify and utilise existing housing, reducing the impact of empty homes on neighbouring residents and highlighting the benefits of reuse to 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 contact all owners of empty properties annually. It is important you provide accurate information regarding the status of the property.
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 property or have recently purchased one, we can:
You also have the option to:
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 (Council Tax charges for empty properties).
If you decide to refurbish a property that has been empty for two or more years, the Empty Homes Officer can provide you with a VAT letter which your builder can use to offer you reduced VAT.
To support owners who have recently purchased a property which has been empty for two or more years, the Council is offering a suspension of the premium Council Tax charge.
To qualify:
Please contact Lorraine Moore on lmoore@fenland.go.uk or 07729638832 for further details and to request an application form.
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:
- it would be the sole residence of someone who is currently living in accommodation provided by the Ministry of Defence
- it is an annex being used as part of the main residence
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: