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Each Local Authority is responsible for tackling empty properties within their area. It is important to maximise use of the existing housing stock so that the number of new homes built each year can be minimised. This is particularly important in areas of the country where housing demand is high, especially the south-east of England.
Empty homes not only restrict housing supply, they also detract from the quality of the local environment and can cause significant problems for local residents. Local authorities undertake to contact owners of empty properties to find out why they are empty and encourage the owner to bring the property back into use in conjunction with their own Empty Homes Strategy.
It is anticipated that through providing information, offering advice and encouraging owners of empty properties, that the majority of properties will be brought back into use. There are, however, a number of reasons why properties are empty and sometimes, where discussions with an owner have broken down, it is necessary to take enforcement action. This will always be seen as a measure of last resort.
Using Council Tax data
Local authorities are able to collate details of empty properties within their area from Council Tax data. This data identifies which properties are empty, the length of time they have been empty, the name of the owner(s) and how they can be contacted.
The main legislation permitting the use of Council Tax data to identify empty homes, or assist in bringing them back into use, arises from section 85 of the Local Government Act 2003, which amended the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This was further reinforced under section 237 of the Housing Act 2004.