South West Regional Improvement Efficiency Partnership Making use of existing stock – Building Capacity for Empty Homes Teams

Lead Authority & Partners Lead Authority – Exeter City Council Partners – West Dorset District Council East Dorset District Council North Dorset District Council Purbeck District Council Weymouth & Portland Borough Council

Partners - Cont Christchurch Borough Council Dorset Strategic Housing Group Plymouth City Council Devon Strategic Housing Group

Background to the Bid Mock inspection of Exeter City Council highlighted insufficient empty homes enforcement action 6 Dorset Housing authorities ‘red flagged’ for failing to effectively address the issues of empty property within the CAA report

The Bid Joint initiative between Exeter City Council and West Dorset District Council To deliver a 6 day training programme for 24 delegates from Dorset, Exeter Plymouth Local Authorities and partner authorities

Programme Objectives Improve knowledge Provide skills for effective EH management and enforcement Establish a ‘tool kit’ Improve performance Achieve efficiencies

Source of Training Technical Training Provided by Empty Homes Training Ltd Trainers Andrew Lavender - all aspects of enforcement David Gibbens - legislation

Source of Training Soft Skills Delaney & Hart

Proposed Outcomes LA’s equipped to undertake existing and new duties related to the strategic housing function LA’s and Partners proactively working LA’ & Partners able to recruit staff with appropriate skills

Proposed Outcomes LA’s better placed to lever in Funding LA’s have a consistent approach to strategic housing Strategic Housing partnerships are able to draw on a robust evidence base to support their action

Where are we now? 24 Delegates Completed 10 days of training 6 Days technical training 4 Days soft skills Advisory service Empty Homes Network Web Site

Outcomes Too early to assess Increased skills and knowledge: Comments from the delegates: ‘It has given me the confidence to deal with empty homes complaints’ ‘It has provided me with information on new ways of approaching empty home owners’

Delegate Responses ‘ Has given me the confidence and the tools to tackle some of our problematical long term empties, we are embarking upon what might be our first enforced sale!’ ‘The manuals should provide us with a great deal of help with the future delivery of empty property’.

Obstacles to Improved Outcomes Inability to achieve ‘read only’ Council tax information Empty homes officers do not have delegated powers to serve notices. Lack of understanding from senior management and members of the processes needed to provide improved outcomes.

Benefits for the Future Provide increase in alternative housing options Provide a housing resource for both social and private occupiers Improvement in Private Sector Housing stock Cost savings to the public sector Increased CT Revenue

New Legislation Affecting Empty Homes New Homes Bonus

The Message from Government Empty homes are a blight on local communities and a waste which we cannot afford. We need to harness this potential to meet pressing housing need.”Empty homes are a blight on local communities and a waste which we cannot afford. We need to harness this potential to meet pressing housing need.” “Through the New Homes Bonus, the Government proposes to strengthen the incentive for local authorities to identify empty properties and work with property owners to find innovative solutions that allow these properties to be brought back into use.”“Through the New Homes Bonus, the Government proposes to strengthen the incentive for local authorities to identify empty properties and work with property owners to find innovative solutions that allow these properties to be brought back into use.”

Implications for exemptions Unfurnished empties get Exemption Class “C” for 6 monthsUnfurnished empties get Exemption Class “C” for 6 months At 6 months + 1 day they start costing the local community circa £1,500At 6 months + 1 day they start costing the local community circa £1,500 vital to target homes coming up to 6 months empty July, Augustvital to target homes coming up to 6 months empty July, August Makes no difference how long homes are empty – focus on most numerous ie. those around 6 months empty.Makes no difference how long homes are empty – focus on most numerous ie. those around 6 months empty.

Money for Empty Homes 1 new LTE costs £1.5k approx p.a.1 new LTE costs £1.5k approx p.a. 1 LTE less generates £1.5k approx p.a.1 LTE less generates £1.5k approx p.a. Bonus only sustained if reduction sustainedBonus only sustained if reduction sustained Difference of -5 and +5 p.a. = 10 x bonusDifference of -5 and +5 p.a. = 10 x bonus Say £15k p.a.Say £15k p.a. Councils are no longer able to ignore empty homesCouncils are no longer able to ignore empty homes

New Homes Bonus Money not ring fenced Income likely to go to other areas of Council Important that some of the income goes to support the officer costs Incentivise EH operatives by giving them the NHB for all properties they bring back into use.

Enforcement EDMOs the only enforcement tool directly targeted at LTEsEDMOs the only enforcement tool directly targeted at LTEs Councils will find it easier to justify work and expense associated with EDMOs.Councils will find it easier to justify work and expense associated with EDMOs. Internal partnerships and corporate working must become more efficientInternal partnerships and corporate working must become more efficient Council tax data must become easier to access!Council tax data must become easier to access!

Conclusion Training provided expertise & knowledge Indications for improved service are strong Provided staff with expertise to support initiatives that will produce high levels of NHB

Discussion/Questions

Contact Details Sue Haigh Empty Homes Partnership Manager Exeter City Council Tel: