It’s Empty Homes Week between Monday 23 to Sunday 29 September and West Devon Borough Council is calling on residents to help to reduce the number of long-term empty homes in the Borough. Empty homes can be a magnet for crime and vandalism and the Council wants to bring vitally needed homes back into use.
They are asking residents to report homes in their area that they know have been left unoccupied for a long period of time. The Council currently has 30 homes which have been empty for over two years.
Of those homes 26 are having to pay 150% Council Tax. There are also 193 houses which have been empty from between one month up to two years, with 40 properties uninhabitable due to structural work.
There are many reasons why a house can become empty, from the death or illness of a relative, homes being repossessed by the bank or due to maintenance or value issues. This is where the Council can help.
Perhaps, you have a home that needs work doing to get it up to scratch? If so, do you know that you may be able to access a loan through the Council?
If you are a homeowner, a landlord or an empty property owner the Council may be able to offer you a low cost loan from Wessex Resolutions. Loans cover essential home repairs (such as installing or upgrading heating systems, roof and structural repairs, replacing old and inefficient windows and doors, electrical and plumbing repairs or anything other issues deemed essential to keeping you warm, safe and dry in your home). Repair/refurbish empty properties to enable you to sell or rent the property. The Council themselves are working towards improving one of their own buildings, Springhill, in Tavistock which was previously used as nine self-contained flats.
Previously leased out on a long term lease, the property was falling into disrepair and needed substantial work to bring it back to a good standard. The Borough Council took back control of the lease and are proposing to redevelop the site, subject to planning permission. If planning is granted, the site is hoped to be significantly improved with an increase from nine to 12 new one bedroomed flats.
This would hugely improve the quality of the temporary accommodation that West Devon Borough Council would be able to offer and with the added bonus of good quality energy efficiency. Cllr Neil Jory, Leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: “We’re delighted to take part in the national Empty Homes Week. It’s really important that unoccupied houses in the Borough are turned into much needed homes.
If you’re a neighbour who lives near to an empty house, we urge you to get in touch so we can help to solve this issue. Apart from being an eyesore, they attract crime and lower the value of neighbouring properties as well as being needed in the housing market.
“If you’re a landlord or homeowner struggling with an empty home, there are lots of things we can do to help, such as loans for home improvements but residents need to get in touch so we can put the wheels in motion.“ If you would like to tell us about an empty home, please visit: https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/article/3551/Empty-Homes- For more information about Wessex Loans visit: www.wessexresolutions.org.uk