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'Empty Homes' or 'long-term empty properties' are homes that
have been vacant for six months or longer.
As of March 2012, there were around 885 long-term empty homes in
the Tendring District (excluding second homes), and at the same
time the number of households waiting on the housing register was
approaching 3,400. Whilst bringing these empty homes back into use
will not solve the housing shortage completely, it could help to
reduce the gap. The cost to bring an existing empty property back
into use in most instances is far less than building new
properties. |
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Empty homes can also attract crime, arson, vandalism and anti
social behaviour and have a negative impact on an area.
We work with owners of empty homes to try and get these
properties back into use and in 2009 an
Empty Homes Strategy (pdf document) was formally adopted and an
Empty Homes Officer was allocated the task of encouraging and
assisting owners in bringing their properties back into use.
If you own a property which has been vacant for a minimum of six
months, we may be able to assist by offering:
- Advice on how to bring your property up to a decent homes
standard (if necessary)
- Advice on options regarding letting your property out
- Advice on selling your property and a list of local estate
agents
- An introduction to other landlords/buyers who may be willing to
purchase your property
- An official letter from this Local Authority which can help you
claim a reduced rate of 5% VAT on various works associated with
renovating your property (it must have been empty for 2 years to
qualify for this, and VAT is at 0% if empty greater than 10
years).
We also have the power to take over the management of empty
homes where other measures have failed. Please see our
Enforcement powers available to Local Authorities (word
document) for further information or see the
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) (word document).
If you are concerned about a property in your local community
which is currently vacant, please contact our Empty Homes Officer
either by phone on 01255 686744; by email at
emptyhomes@tendringdc.gov.uk;
or by post to: Empty Homes Officer, The Council Offices, Thorpe
Road, Weeley, CO16 9AJ.
Alternatively you may wish to report a property to the Empty
Homes Agency at
www.reportemptyhomes.com, who will report
the problem to us. |