A strategy has been agreed that aims to bring 10% of empty homes back into use each year for the next five years.
A report to Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet explained that reducing the number of empty homes not only helps to meet local housing need, but also improves neighbourhoods and communities.
Empty properties can attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour, can have a direct impact on adjoining homes through issues such as damp and structural problems and unsightly empty homes can have a detrimental effect on house prices and contribute to a lack of pride in the area.
Cabinet members approved a new ‘Empty Homes Strategy’ at their meeting on Tuesday (21 January), which sets out the measures the council will take to reduce the number of empty properties in its area.
Figures show there are currently approximately 2,358 homes defined as ‘long-term empty’ in Westmorland and Furness, with more than 900 of those in the Furness area. Long-term empty properties are ones that have been identified as being vacant for more than six months.
The report to Cabinet stated: “Like many other local authorities, Westmorland and Furness Council is facing an increasing shortage of housing including affordable homes for its residents whilst the number of long-term empty properties continues to rise.
“Many families are finding it difficult to access a suitable home they can afford resulting in increased homelessness and longer stays in temporary accommodation.’’
The report identifies a number of reasons properties can become long-term empty. They can be up for sale or rent for a long period, or are being repaired or renovated. The previous owner may have died and the person who inherits can take time to decide what to do with the property or can’t afford to fix it, and some houses become empty when the owner goes into care or when it becomes uninhabitable, for example following flooding.
The report explains: “Dwellings can naturally become empty for periods of time, normally due to the buying or selling process or when an owner is deceased. However, when a dwelling remains empty for a significant period of time, or is attracting unwanted attention, then it is considered to be a nuisance empty property.’’
To address the issue the council has already invested £460,000 in additional resources to identify empty homes and bring them back into use and has now developed the ‘Empty Homes Strategy’, which outlines how the council will record empty homes, work with property owners to assist and advise them on ways to bring empty homes back into use and, as a last resort, how the council could take enforcement action in extreme cases.
The Cabinet report continued: “The Council has set a realistic annual target of bringing 10% of empty homes back into use over the strategy lifetime (2025-2030).
“The target reflects the complexity of this work but will still deliver on much needed housing for our residents. We will continue to do all we can to encourage empty home owners to bring their empty homes back into use and include enforcement measures where necessary. Ultimately, our goal is to increase the supply of housing, whilst positively impacting on the quality of life of our residents.
“Our action plan will help to address the problems caused by long-term empty homes so we will concentrate our resources on those homes that have been empty for one year or more, as it is these empty homes that can often cause the most nuisance.’’
The strategy was drawn up following extensive engagement on the subject of empty homes as part of the wider Housing Strategy consultation, involving a range of partners including town and parish councils, voluntary groups, social housing organisations, housing tenants, youth council and ‘lived experience’ workshops, to ensure the voices of those directly affected by homelessness or lack of affordable housing could be heard.
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet member for Housing and Community Safety, said: “Having a stable, safe and secure home is essential to enable people to live healthy, happy and fully independent lives in their communities.
“We also recognise the negative impact that empty homes can have on communities. Tackling empty homes is a key priority for Westmorland and Furness Council, so the new Empty Homes Strategy sets out what the council will do to bring homes back into use, to make best use of housing stock across Westmorland and Furness and to reduce the negative impact empty homes can have on surrounding homes, neighbourhoods and communities.
“By having an Empty Homes Strategy and a clear programme of actions and interventions, we can improve neighbourhoods and create better environments for local communities, reduce vandalism and anti-social behaviour, improve the health and wellbeing of communities and individuals and help meet housing need by providing additional housing options for the local community.
“Homes are left empty for a wide variety of reasons, and plans to bring properties back into use need to be tailored to each circumstance. This strategy agreed today will play a key role in addressing housing shortages, revitalising communities and recognising there is no one simple solution to the problem of empty homes and outlines a range of options to bring properties back into use.
“The strategy has been co-produced with a wide range of partners and we are hugely appreciative of all of the voices that have informed its development.’’
To support the strategy’s aims to bring empty properties back into use, Westmorland and Furness Council agreed in February 2024 to a 100% Council Tax premium on properties that have been empty and substantially unfurnished for between one and five years.
This premium increases to 200% on properties that have been empty for five to 10 years and rises to 300% on those that have been empty and substantially unfurnished for more than 10 years.