Council has returned 34 empty homes to use so far this year
North Kesteven District Council has broken its own record again this year with the number of empty houses it has returned to use.
With less than a month to go before the accounting year ends, 34 houses that have stood empty for two years or more have been successfully brought back into use by their owners following support or intervention by the district council.
This positive news has been announced during the National Empty Homes Week.
The annual target is for 20 returns. Last year the total achieved over 12 months was 31 and this year this has been exceeded.
In total there are currently 140 properties in North Kesteven that have been empty for more than two years, 27 for over five, and 14 for 10 or more years.
The council says that by standing empty for so long these properties are doing nothing to contribute to local housing need and increasingly present problems and potential dangers within the community as they deteriorate and become derelict.
By helping owners return their properties into use – offering incentives like a VAT Discount Scheme, advice on planning, signposting to potential sales opportunities and helping to navigate legal complications – the empty homes programme is designed to ultimately help communities flourish.
There are now major financial disadvantages to holding on to an empty property as they can face double, triple or four-fold council tax charges depending on duration of vacancy.
Councillor Ian Carrington, who has Executive Board oversight for housing, said: “It is a great team effort by the council across various departments all working together for the benefit of our local communities.
“There are many benefits through our focus on restoring empty homes for use in stimulating and sustaining stronger, safer, more cohesive communities, and I give enormous credit to everyone involved in helping such properties fulfil their potential.”
Following a change in legislation, unoccupied furnished and second homes are subject to premium charges with Council Tax. After two years of standing empty, the council pays particular attention to try and identity ownership, liaise and unlock barriers to refurbishment and promote to owners potential VAT reductions or other incentives to restoration and re-habitation.