Scrutiny Review of Long Term Empty and Abandoned Properties

Introduction Introduction to the problems caused by empty properties How the Council deals with empty properties How much do empty properties cost the Council How can reviewing the way the Council deals with empty properties lead to efficiencies and improvements DCLG Business Plan 2011 – 2015 Council Plan and the Housing Strategy

Current Position Number of empty properties (April 2012) total number empty empty for more than 6 months empty for less than 6 months Problems associated with empty properties -Anti social behaviour, arson risk, fly tipping, dilapidated and run down properties Priority List Database 162 (June 2012)

The process for dealing with reported empty properties New Empty Property Report Is there a statutory nuisance at the property, or is it open to unauthorised access Visit within 5 working days Visit within 24 hours (working days) Carry out a priority risk assessment Add to priority list Carry out checks to determine ownership Begin informal communications with owner (s) Write to owner (s) every 6 months unless otherwise brought to attention of the Division. NoYes Carry out an inspection and assessment. Property not effectively secured Secure using the powers of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Add to priority list and continue with process to return to use Statutory nuisance identified Begin process to deal with request * * If the Private Sector Housing Division do not have the delegated powers to deal with the issue, then the request will be forwarded to the relevant Division, however the property will still be added to the priority list

Priority Risk Assessment PROPERTY ADDRESS Max score SCORE 1 How many times has the property been found to be open for access and then secured? Count number of times the Private Sector Housing Division have had involvement. 2 How many complaints have been received about the property? Count number of complaints 3 How many times have other Council Divisions, the Fire Authority, the Police or other agencies attended the property? Enter number of times other Divisions have been called 4Is the property within ‘a priority area’ No = 0, Yes = 15 5Length of time property has been vacant 1-2yrs = 1, 2-4yrs = 2, 5+ = 5 +1 additional point for each year 20 6Are there unsafe or dangerous building elements No = 0, Minor = 1, Medium = 2, Major = 3 7 Is there a current problem affecting adjacent properties?No = 0, Minor = 1, Medium = 2, Major = 3 8 Does the property have unattended overgrown gardens?No = 0, Minor = 1, Medium = 2, Major = 3 9 Are there problems with accumulations of rubbish?No = 0, Minor = 1, Medium = 2, Major = 3 10 Are the walls and fences effective and suitable for purpose?No = 0, Minor = 1, Medium = 2, Major = 3 11 Does the house impact negatively on the appearance of the Street? No = 0, Minor = 1, Medium = 2, Major = 3 12 What level of response has there been from the owner?None = 4, Poor = 3, Pessimistic = 2, Optimistic = 1, Good = 0 TOTAL0

Costs of Dealing with Empty Properties Loss of Council Tax income Costs to Council Services Works in Default costs Debt Recovery costs Formal Enforcement Action Loss of New Homes Bonus

Involvement of SBC Services and External Agencies Planning Technical Services Environmental Health Enforcement Council Tax Legal Fire Brigade Police Members of the public and members

Obstacles – Empty Properties Ownership – response, resistance, tracing Property turnover Costs of Works In Default Council Tax – read only access Prosecutions and costs Debt Recovery

Current Actions Informal Formal Toolkit -Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Environmental Protection Act Prevention of Damage by Pests Act Building Act Town and Country Planning Act Housing Acts 1985 and Empty Dwelling Management Order -Compulsory Purchase Order

Current Actions Financial Assistance HCA Enforced Sales Procedure

Corporate Empty Homes Group Planning Council Tax Technical Services Environmental Health Enforcement Anti Social Behaviour Fire Brigade

Benefits of Returning Empty Properties back to use Improved neighbourhoods Fewer requests for service for the Council and partner agencies New Homes Bonus Council Tax Income Provision of affordable housing for homeless people Reduction to the homelessness list

Any Questions? Contact Details Melanie Howard Telephone Gary Knight Telephone Vicky Jackson Telephone General Telephone