Posts by Stuart Butler
Case study – The importance of flexibility on Council Tax premium
Our advice service assisted an owner struggling with an inherited family home which had been empty for 7 years. The owner intended to renovate and live in the property, and contacted the advice service distressed as the council tax premium was a financial burden. Paying the premium was reducing the budget for renovation work and…
[…]Options available to officers
In our annual survey we asked EHOs to provide information on what methods they have used to bring homes back into use. ‘In your experience, how commonly used are the following key actions in assisting owners to bring properties back into use? With 0 being not used at all, and 10 being most frequently used’
[…]Case study – Multiple barriers to bringing a home back into use
This property has remained empty for 5 years. The late owner left the home to their children but one passed away and the remaining beneficiary is living overseas. There has been no grant of confirmation applied for, so the property remains exempt from council tax. The property became unoccupied after a family member moved out…
[…]Why homes become and remain empty
As part of our annual survey, we gather information from EHOs on why homes became empty and why they remain empty. EHOs provide this in relation to their active caseload where known. In 22/23 death of the previous owner was once again the most common reason for homes becoming empty. This has been the case…
[…]Meeting our strategic objectives 2 – Encouraging councils to mainstream empty homes work
Local authorities across the country are increasingly recognising the role that empty homes can play in supporting wider housing and social policy goals, at a time when they are facing increased demand for housing and high inflation is limiting their ability to deliver this. We want to see as many empty homes as possible brought…
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