Powers to tackle empty properties
We have powers to carry out work if an empty property is causing a nuisance to the community. This could result in the owner being served with a legal notice or in extreme cases prosecuted.
We aim to work amicably with the owners of empty homes before adopting any of the available enforcement tools.
Range of powers available to us:
- we can serve improvement notices to ensure works are carried out at a property
- we can enforce the sale of a property under the Law of Property Act 1925, if there is any money owed to the council against the property
- we can take over the management of an empty property to ensure it’s reoccupied by serving an Empty Dwelling Management Order
- make sure empty properties are secure and don’t pose a danger to the public
- serve an abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to ensure they are not a statutory nuisance
- serve a section 215, Town and Country Planning Act 1990 notice for empty homes which are detrimental to the visual amenity of the area
Further help
If you have any question, please contact us.