EMPTY HOMES IN BLACKPOOL
Key Facts:-
- There are over 2000 privately owned empty homes in Blackpool.
- Over 1000 of the privately owned empty homes have been vacant over 12 months.
- Approximately 250 are deemed to be uninhabitable.
- Many of these properties are in a state of disrepair attracting vandalism and crime.
- Empty homes can blight a neighbourhood and are socially, environmentally and economically unacceptable.
- Long term vacant homes in Blackpool represent lost income. Owners can often lose over £5,000 a year by keeping a home empty in rent loss, council tax, insurance, dilapidation and security measures.
Blackpool Problem Empty Property Working Group.
Blackpool Council has developed a Working Group that works actively to bring empty homes that are causing a problem, back into use.
The Groups membership includes Housing Associations, Council Officers, local Councillors and community workers.
The Purpose of the group is to bring problematic empty properties back into use. Owners are given information and advice on letting the property, selling on the open market and securing any available grants. If the owner fails to act on the advice given and the property continues to fall into disrepair, the Council will consider legal options to ensure that properties are brought back into use.
To date the Council has actively dealt with a significant number of empty properties and these are now refurbished and occupied.
How can you help?
- Report a residential empty property to the Council if it is unoccupied, not being actively marketed for sale and causing a problem in the neighbourhood.
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If you own a property that is empty, consider repairing, converting for use or selling on the open market.
- Leasing through a letting agent.
- Selling/leasing to a housing association.
Please contact the Council on 01253 477477 for further advice and information.
For further information www.emptyhomes.gov.uk |