Hi Mel,

May I ask, did they comply with the notices? If not, did you consider enforced sale?

I have done CPO's with both a housing association partner on board who have agreed to buy the proeprty from us the same day we take poseesion, a "back to back" sale. With an greement to cover our costs, but you have to be careful as some would say there is evidence there of unfair advanatge to the RSL. I disagree but it has come up before.

Ditto with using a private developer. So, it can be done, but there are risks, so it will come down to your legal team in the end, if they are happy with the risks.

I would look at enforced sale.

We have completed CPO of 5 properties which were all under the same ownership. They had been vacany for at least 10 years during which time many notices had been served. Some were complied with some were not and work in default was carried out. Once we had possession they were placed on the market with a local agent who agreed a fee of £1000 per property and tenders requested. All the properties were sold  to 2 local developers for more that the reserve price. They are now all being improved with financial assisstance by the LA through it's interest free loan scheme.

Prior to submission to the Secreatary of State the Council had been attempting to get into negotiation with the owner over a period of 3 years but without response. CPO was the only way.

Hi Mel,

We have compiled rough costings as to the cost of CPO against the costs to the LA corporately of doing nothing. These are finger in the air figures but make sobering reading. Please PM me and I'll forward them.

Cheers

Sue

Hi Sue,

 I'd be interested in your finger in the air costings as well about the cost to the LA of doing nothing vs. CPO.

 Could you email me?

 Thanks,

Kristen

Hi Sue

I would appreciate it too if you could forward the details of the costing v's doing nothing.

sally.taylor@mendip.gov.uk

Thanks

Sally

 I never incurred any substantial costs with CPOs. The process is this: First serve a Sec 215 or HHSRS notice with which the owner fails to comply, it can even be a prohibition notice (I know..crazy). Don't pursue this, just keep it in your back pocket. Start the CPO process and submit your files. If there is to be a public enquiry you will have to stump up about £3000 for the inspector and the venue. Once the CPO is granted immediately go through the vesting procedure to get the house registered in your council's name. Once that is done immediately market the house and sell it to a buyer who enters into a contract to have the house refurbished and occupied within a set period (typically 12 months). The money you get from the sale then goes to the previous owner less any recoverable bills it owes you. No money is put up front. The expired notice in your back pocket is now your trump card should the original owner claim basic loss payment over and above the "market" price achieved by "marketing" the house.

Simplez

Andrew Vickers