Taking action over empty homes
Archived press release
Date Published: 25/11/08
There are currently around 400 homes that have been empty for more than six months across Aylesbury Vale
Aylesbury Vale District Council is supporting a national week of action to highlight the problems that empty homes can cause.
The council's private housing team is setting up an information stand in Aylesbury on 28 November to speak to home owners as part of the annual ‘Empty Homes National Week of Action’.
Officers will be giving out information about how they are tackling the problem of empty homes and what incentives are available to help private owners bring their homes back into use. They will also be available to take details of long-term empty properties.
There are currently around 400 homes that have been empty for more than six months across Aylesbury Vale. The council is taking action to bring these properties back into use as soon as possible.
Empty homes are a wasted resource, particularly in areas where demand for housing is high, and can be a source of significant anxiety and cost for owners and those living near to them. They may attract vandalism, anti-social behaviour, squatters and are often eyesores that can reduce the sale price of neighbouring properties.
Councillor Michael Edmonds, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “Every empty home has a different story – whether they’ve been inherited and have new owners who aren’t in the area, or have fallen into disrepair because owners either don’t have the interest or money to bring them up to a decent standard. If the public know of empty homes in their area, they can contact the council in confidence and we will track down the owners and do our very best to get the home back into use.”
The information stand will be in the reception area at the council’s High Street offices in Aylesbury between 9.30am and 4.30pm on 28 November.
Anyone who would like to report an empty home, or would like information about bringing a property back into use, can call the private housing team on 01296 585592 or email nparsons@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk