Archived press release

Date Published: 23/10/06

Thousands of homes across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire are lying empty while homeless families wait in temporary accommodation. Empty homes present a real blight to local communities – becoming a magnet for vandals and an...

Thousands of homes across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire are lying empty while homeless families wait in temporary accommodation.

Empty homes present a real blight to local communities – becoming a magnet for vandals and anti-social behaviour and even decreasing the value of neighbouring properties.

Now a group of local councils is forming an alliance to tackle the problem of more than 5,500 empty homes across the three counties.

AVDC is joining forces with local authorities in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire to hold events aimed at raising the profile of the issue of empty homes in our local communities.

A special roadshow will be travelling around the three counties main town centres with information on how the individual councils are tackling the problem of empty homes, what advice and incentives are being offered to help private owners bring their homes back into use and the enforcement powers that can be used when all else fails.

Look out for the roadshow at the Friars Square Shopping Centre in Aylesbury town centre from 9am to 4.30pm on 26 October. AVDC staff will be more than happy to answer your questions, and give you advice on issues or problems relating to empty homes.

There will also be an advertising campaign running on local buses during the week to raise awareness of the telephone number people can call to report empty homes or request information and advice.

In addition, you can find out more information about Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs), a new power allowing local authorities to let out long term empty homes where the owner has taken no steps to bring the property back into use voluntarily for a period of up to seven years without the consent of the owner.

AVDC believes there are nearly 500 long term empty properties across the district, out of a total housing stock of around 69,000 homes. Many of these properties may be empty because they are being renovated or are already up for sale and therefore not available.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “Empty homes are a wasted asset, both for the property owner and the local community. With so many young families in need of affordable housing, it is vital that all existing housing is used. That’s why we want to make owners and landlords aware of the help available to them to get their properties back into shape and into use.”

For free advice or to report empty properties contact AVDC’s environmental health team on 01296 585151 or email mchuter@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk