Action is being taken by the Isle of Wight Council to tackle empty properties on the Island.
The local authority has launched its Empty Property Strategy 2019-2022 to focus on those homes which have stood empty for more than 2 years.
It plans to work with owners to bring their properties back into use in a bid to increase the supply of quality affordable homes for Islanders.
The 3-year strategy points out that bringing an empty property back into use can reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in an area.
Councillor Barry Abraham, Cabinet member for planning and housing, said:
“High levels of empty properties are recognised as having a serious impact on the viability of communities.
“Knock-on effects can increase decline and give the appearance of deprivation which can affect the health of those living in the community.
“Empty properties can also have a negative impact on our tourism trade.”
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There are an estimated 522 empty homes across the Isle of Wight — including 154 that have been empty for over 2 years — as well as several vacant commercial premises with the potential for conversion to affordable or rented homes.
While the council plans to work with owners to bring properties back into use — particularly those that are blighting a neighbourhood or causing antisocial behaviour — the authority has warned it will consider using enforcement action if they remain empty.
An empty property is defined as a property which is unlikely to be occupied or capable of occupation and has been vacant for at least 6 months. It excludes second homes, properties under probate or where the owner is in residential care.
Homes owned by armed forces personnel, or where the owner is actively marketing or renovating the property, are also not included by virtue of the list of specific statutory excemptions.
A typical empty property can cost more than £8,000 a year to the owner in lost value and maintenance costs and can devalue surrounding homes by up to 18%.
Councillor Abraham added:
“Achieving the aims and objectives of this strategy will require a creative, focussed and committed partnership approach.
“While the economic situation and resource implications are challenging, I do believe this is a realistic and achievable strategy.”
Careful what you wish for. Chucking scumbags into slum landlord properties can devalue neighbours properties by far more than the alleged 18% of leaving such places empty.
Good luck with that! A lot of people with empty property’s may have inherited from a relative who has died and who generally cannot afford to bring it up to scratch. If the person has a bad credit rating they can’t even borrow to get it done. So their stuck