Empty Homes Questionnaire

A number of local authorities forming part of the Surrey & Hampshire Improvement Partnership (SHIP) undertook a questionnaire with owners of empty properties during September 2009.

Each local authority used data held on Council Tax records which identifies which properties are empty and the contact details of the owners. Properties can be given short periods of exemption or discount from full Council Tax while they are unoccupied. The circumstances of such exemptions & discounts fall into two main Council Tax categories.

a) Class A properties - major works/refurbishment, usually exempt for a maximum of 12 months.

b) Class C properties - other approved reasons for the property remaining empty. Reduced Council Tax is due for a maximum 6 months.

Results are sub-divided into reasons why owners report that homes are empty and how long they have been empty. The date that the Council Tax exemption or discount was used as providing the best date when the property first came empty.

The main findings of the Survey are:

a) trying to sell or let (23.3%) - almost certainly because of current market conditions - falling property values since 2007 have made owners postpone decisions whether to sell or let.

b) other reasons (19.9%) - including flood damage, Insurance claims to be settled, drawing up refurbishment plans, not budgeting fully for structural work & running out of funds, house clearance after death of relative.

c) refurbishment in progress(33.2%) - often, older relative has died, and next of kin faces considerable modernisation of the home if it is to sold at a reasonable price.

The Survey is a valuable tool for assessing reasons why homes are empty. It also enables LAs to concentrate limited resources on actual empty homes and working with owners to encourage solutions. It also helps to provide a more accurate list of empty properties.

In addition the questionnaire has helped local authorities to: