Annual Impact Report 2024
CASE STUDY
Moray Council
Trudi Lawrie, the Home Improvement Officer with responsibility for empty homes work at Moray Council since 2014, shared with us case studies highlighting the complex and varied work required around empty homes and the difference an EHO can make.
1. Anti-social behaviour affecting neighbouring properties
There is a property located in town that was attracting frequent antisocial behaviour, illegal entry and property damage resulting in a number of police and fire service visits. It is on the fire service list of at-risk properties and regularly monitored by them. Building Control have also been involved. Neighbours often complain because they have tried to sell but their house, but the value is now negatively affected. The owner keeps securing the property but is not able to do more without significant support. By overcoming the owners initial reticence and engaging with them and with other affected parties, we are working to achieve a long-term solution to a complex issue.
2. Supporting vulnerable adults
A town centre property is owned by someone with significant hoarding and mental health issues. The property is in poor condition and attracts vermin and antisocial behaviour including illegal entry. It also generates a number of neighbourhood complaints. It has required visits from the police and fire service and previous enforcement action by Environmental Health. Due to his age, health and property condition, the owner now lives in local authority property where he is now accruing debts on both properties (although he does make some payment of arrears). We established a multiagency support group including housing, council tax, and organised a dedicated Social Worker. The complexities of the case mean finding a resolution has been an ongoing process. Since the creation of the multi-agency group, progress is being made with the owner now expressing an interest in selling this property to the local authority as part of the buy-back initiative, bringing it back into affordable housing supply.
3. Helping a recently bereaved owner
A couple had purchased a rural property with a view to renovate and use as a retirement home. The wife was creating the internal design including new kitchens and bathrooms. Sadly, she died before the project could be completed and her husband could not face completing his wife’s work without her. The property sat vacant for over two years creating financial issues until he received empty homes support. Time was spent building trust before support was provided to access discounts, organise trades and other supports for the renovations to be completed. The property was eventually sold to recoup the costs. The owner was then able to take his first holiday in years and start to fully grieve the loss of his wife. He was very appreciative of the support and empathy he received from the officer which allowed him to start rebuilding his life, sending a thank you card expressing his gratitude.
Sadly, Moray council have made the decision to discontinue the post at the end of July 2024, meaning that there will no longer be a dedicated empty homes service in Moray.
We are disappointed that they have made this decision at a time when local authorities across the country are making empty homes work a key strand of their local housing strategy. We believe it will have a negative effect on work to acquire empty homes as part of an acquisition programme and will also take away a vital resource for owners wishing to bring their homes back to use, or neighbours faced with stress from living next door to an empty home.