An inquiry by the National Assembly’s Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee has examined the impact of empty properties on communities and how local authorities can act to tackle a complex problem which requires dedicated resources and expertise.

In its report, the Committee is calling on the Welsh Government to work closely with local authorities to develop a national action plan for tackling empty properties which sets priorities, objectives and targets for implementation.

It’s already Friday but I’m still thinking about Wednesday’s first Empty Homes Network conference with Adam Cliff at the helm.  Great programme by the way, Adam. 

As we’ve come to expect over the years with David Gibbens organising, one of the reasons the conference is always so well attended is the programme.  It has to include subjects that empty homes officers are interested in and want to learn more about.  For example new schemes that have been trialled, community work, partnership working, enforcement and updates from Action on Empty Homes.

https://www.actiononemptyhomes.org/news/empty-homes-england-2019-is-available-now

Highlights and key issues:

The general picture

1. 2018 saw confirmation that empty homes numbers are rising significantly.

The rise of 5.3%, nearly 11,000 additional long-term empty homes, was double the rise in 2017.

The Guardian, The Metro and ITV News have covered the launch of Empty Homes in England 2019.

Action on Empty Homes Director and Campaigns Manager Chris Bailey were also interviewed on BBC Radio Cumbria and BBC Radio Humberside this morning.

You can read this morning's coverage here:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/23/empty-homes-in-england-up-by-11000-last-year-study-shows

The Hackney Gazette reports:

London may be in the grip of a housing crisis, but it has more than 67,000 homes with no permanent residents, according to government figures.

Last year in the capital there were 22,481 long-term empty homes - long-term being more than six months - and 44,641 second homes.

At the same time, rough sleeping figures are at a record high and London councils have more than 56,000 families and 88,000 children living in largely unsuitable temporary accommodation.

The team at Action on Empty Homes are looking forward to meeting everyone at the Empty Homes Network national conference on 18^th September. We are in the middle of three projects that we will be giving you more information about during the day:

Dear All

Some of you may not be aware of a recent case that related to stamp duty surcharge. 

It may be a way that Empty Property Officers can add value to their clients as well as advising them on the usual reduced vat schemes.

Since 2016, there has been an extra 3% stamp duty tax on properties bought as an additional property to the buyer’s home. Now homebuyers, buy to let investors, and developers buying an additional property might be able to cut out the surcharge if the home is derelict. 

Brighid Carey, Action on Empty Homes writes:

Action on Empty Homes is developing a Community Action Toolkit for local authorities, community groups and other partnerships to use as a resource to help bring empty homes into use as affordable housing for local people. We expect the Toolkit to be available for free download from our website in early 2021. As we start this work, we’d like to gain a snapshot of the extent to which local authorities are currently collaborating with communities to bring empty homes into use.

Life in the Lakes – June/July 2019

Thanks to everyone who contacted me to let me know your council had increased the council tax Premium. It’ll be very interesting to hear after the first six months to a year what effect (if any) the doubling of the Premium has made to your work.

Personally speaking I like the idea that some other councils are already using, which is aimed at those genuinely struggling financially to complete repairs, by offering an option for a ‘holiday’ from the Premium while repairs are completed.

Action on Empty homes has made headlines in the local news and launched a new website

Visit our new website!

Our new website at www.actiononemptyhomes.org is up and running. Have a look and tell us what you think. We aim to emphasise action and partnerships.