IN the Epping Forest district 410 properties have been standing empty for more than 6 months. Empty homes week, from 28 November to 2 December 2016 aims to highlight the incentives in bringing empty homes back into use.

Empty homes week

Why are properties left empty?

Properties are left empty for a variety of reasons but they can be the source of much misery to neighbours who have to live nearby. It is estimated that the home next door to an empty property can be devalued by 10%. There is also the worry of nuisance, vermin, arson, vandalism and anti social behaviour.

For the owner, an empty property is a wasted resource and can be costly in terms of increased insurance, increased council tax premiums, property fraud, emergency repairs and break-ins.

Financial help

We are committed to reducing the number of empty properties on the district and can offer financial help in certain circumstances. It is recognised that a stumbling block can be that the empty property is in disrepair and cannot be lived in, let or easily sold in its condition.

We can therefore offer the following schemes

The Empty Homes Repayable Assistance offers up to £10,000 if there is an empty property that you intend to live in yourself, but is in poor condition. The money is repaid when you eventually sell the property

The PLACE Loan offers up to £25,000 if you have a property that you would like to have renovated in order that you can sell or rent it out. This is an interest free loan and is paid back within 2 years in the case of a loan to sell, or 5 years in the case of the loan to let
We always prefer to work with owners in a constructive way, it has certain enforcement powers that it may use to ensure that an empty property is brought back to use particularly if it has been empty a long time and is problematic to the local community.

Help owners in every way we can

Councillor Syd Stavrou Deputy Leader and Housing Portfolio Holder said: “As a council we are fully committed to bringing empty properties back into use and are looking to help owners in every way we can. However where all other measures have failed, we are prepared to take enforcement action as a last resort.”

Report an empty property

If you are aware of an empty property let us know. We will need the address and any other information. We will do our best to contact the owner, work with them to bring the property back to use. All calls are treated in confidence.

Report an empty property to the Empty Property Officer

Email [email protected]

Telephone 01992 564706