Scrutiny Review of Long Term Empty and Abandoned Properties.

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)

- 2781 total number empty- 1382 empty for more than 6 months - 1399 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

1How 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.

2How 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

4 Is the property within ‘a priority area’ No = 0, Yes = 15

5 Length of time property has been vacant1-2yrs = 1, 2-4yrs = 2, 5+ = 5 +1 additional point for each year 20

6 Are 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

11Does the house impact negatively on the appearance of the Street?

No = 0, Minor = 1, Medium = 2, Major = 3

12What level of response has there been from the owner? None = 4, Poor = 3, Pessimistic = 2,

Optimistic = 1, Good = 0

TOTAL 0

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 1982- Environmental Protection Act 1990- Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949- Building Act 1984- Town and Country Planning Act 1990- Housing Acts 1985 and 2004

- 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

[email protected] Telephone 01642 526551

Gary Knight


Vicky Jackson


General


Scrutiny Review of Long Term Empty and Abandoned Properties.

Documents

Transcript of Scrutiny Review of Long Term Empty and Abandoned Properties.