Empty properties blight communities because they
deteriorate rapidly and can become targets for vandalism and
crime. To tackle the issue, we have a strategy in place
to help reduce the number of long-term empty dwellings in the
borough.
What is defined as an empty home?
An empty home is a dwelling that has been unoccupied for
more than 6 months (excluding council owned properties).
I own an empty home, what can I do to bring it back into
use?
If you own an empty home you will know that instead of earning
you money, it is costing you money. There are a number of options
available to you depending on the condition of the property:
- Letting: if your property is in good
condition, you could let your property. You can do
this yourself or through an established local letting agent.
You will pay a fee to the agent to manage the property on your
behalf. If you decide to let the property yourself, it is important
that you understand the law before you let to a tenant. A
member of our Homelessness Advice & Prevention
Team can go through the legislation with you. We can
also inspect your property to tell you if it is suitable for
letting.
- Sale: if you do not wish to let your property,
you could consider selling it. You can sell through an estate agent
or a property auction. Auctions can be a quicker way of selling an
empty home, especially if it needs renovating, as many developers
and cash buyers go to auctions specifically looking for empty
homes.
- Renovating: if you want to renovate your
property to make it suitable for occupation or sale, it is
important that you find the right builder. Many builders are
offered work through recommendations from past customers, so it's
worth speaking to friends or neighbours who have had work
done. Our Private Sector Housing Team also has a list of
approved builders who they have vetted to ensure their work is of a
good standard and Lancashire County Council runs a Safe Trader Scheme
(external link) which can help you find a reliable local
trader.
What can the Council do if I leave my property empty?
If you own an empty home and refuse to co-operate in bringing
the property back into use or selling it, the Council can take
enforcement action. The Council can serve various legal notices to
force owners to take action to repair, make safe or demolish the
property. If works are carried out by the Council because of a
failure to do so by the owner, a legal charge is placed on the
property which allows the Council to recover the cost when the
property is sold or ownership changes in another way. In some
cases, the Council can enforce the sale of a property where it has
registered a legal charge so that the money owed can be
recovered.
I own an empty home, what should I do next?
If you own an empty home, contact the Private Sector Housing
Team. The Council has a list of empty homes that is updated every
year. The details of your property will be recorded along with your
plans for the property. If you are trying to sell or renovate, this
will be noted and no enforcement action will be taken.
Report an empty home
If you suspect a property may be an empty home, you can report
this to the Private Sector Housing Team using the
online empty home form.
Contact us
For more information or to report an empty home please contact
the Private Sector Housing Team.
Tel: 01695 585279
Email: mark.lunt@westlancs.gov.uk
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