Empty residential properties

Empty residential properties are a target for squatters, vandals and burglars. They could be used to provide homes for the many people who need one. Councils will act on reports of empty properties and may provide grants for renovation and/or rental schemes to encourage owners to make use of empty properties.

The Problems with empty homes

Empty properties can attract pests, rubbish dumping, graffiti, vandalism, squatting, break-ins, arson and anti-social behaviour. This is obviously detrimental to the amenities of an area and can also reduce the value of neighbouring homes.

An empty property can also cost the owner a significant amount of money due to the following problems;

Property deterioration.
Expensive insurance.
Council Tax. (The main exemptions are time limited. The Council has abolished the discount on unfurnished empty homes.)
Missing out on the potential income from renting or selling it.
The owner may be liable for costs incurred by the council in removing rubbish and preventing unlawful entry.

Bringing empty homes back into use

An owner can bring a property back into use by either living there themselves, selling it or renting it out.

What Can the Council Do About Empty Homes

Empty Property Grants

The Council may, if funding is available and the property development suitable, assist landlords with the cost of renovating an empty property, with the intention of bringing it back into use as affordable rented housing. The landlord must enter into an agreement with the Council for 10 years following completion of the works, that the Council will nominate tenants from the waiting list. Priority would be given to the renovation of 3-4 bedroom family properties, as there is a shortage of this type of affordable rented property in the Borough. If the agreement is broken or the property sold prior to the end of the 10 year period, the full amount of grant paid will be repayable to the Council.

Please note, however, that Empty Property Grant funds have already been allocated for the year 2009/10.

Advice

Should the owner decide to rent the property out to a private tenant then the council can give general advice on landlords obligations and introduce prospective tenants.

Formal Action

Should a owner of an empty property not attempt to bring it back into use and/or the property is suffering from the following issues the Council will take appropriate enforcement action:

Harbouring vermin
Causing damp etc to adjoining properties
Unsecured
A severe eyesore
Structurally unsafe

It is unreasonable for homes to stand empty indefinitely. As a last resort the Council may make an Empty Dwelling Management Order or Compulsory Purchase Order, when owners show no serious intention of restoring empty homes to use.

FAQs

How much financial assistance is available to landlords under the Empty Property Grant?

The most that can be granted is £25k per unit, or 75% of the total renovation costs, whichever is lesser.

How long does the property have to be 'empty' before it becomes eligible for an Empty Property Grant?

Historically, it was required that the property be empty for a minimum of two years, which would have to be confirmed by the enquirer contacting the Local Taxation department at Scarborough Borough Council. This stipulation has now been lifted.

Can the landlord decide who tenants the property?

One of the conditions of the Empty Property Grant assistance is that the Council retains 100% tenant nomination rights for the duration of the grant condition period. Currently, Yorkshire Coast Homes manages the housing waiting list on behalf of the Council, and therefore tenant nominations will come from them. If the Council fails to nominate a tenant after a certain length of time the landlord may, with permission being sought from the Council, be permitted to accept their own choice of tenant.

General Housing Information and Advice