Empty homes brought back into use

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Wandsworth Council has brought 172 long-term private sector empty properties back into use since 2008.

By taking enforcement action and using grant funding, the town hall has been able to create new housing alternatives for people – in addition to offering existing council-owned homes.

Thanks to the council intervening when properties have been vacant for long periods of time, the borough now has one of the lowest levels of empty, privately-owned homes in London – some boroughs are home to more than 1,000 properties, reported as being long-term empties.

Wandsworth currently has 404 council tax-registered private properties that have been vacant for over six months – 284 of these have been empty for more than 12 months.

Between 2008 and 2011, the council used compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) as well as taking other enforcement action to ensure properties did not lie empty for prolonged periods.

Two properties in Alton Road, Roehampton – owned by the same property company – have been made subject of CPOs. One has already been converted and is ready for sale/occupation while the other is due to be demolished, and a new building erected.

In other cases, the town hall has helped property owners by providing grants or loans in order to fund repair work and bring them back into habitable use.

Through securing external grant funding, through avenues such as the Mayor of London’s Targeted Funding Stream, Wandsworth has been able to spend £748,000 on improvement work on empty homes since February 1, 2009.

Housing department officers are also able to help arrange and oversee improvement work if the owner’s circumstances mean they need assistance.

Wandsworth’s cabinet member for housing, Councillor Paul Ellis, said: “We are not afraid to step in if properties in the borough are left derelict for long periods of time – and if owners won't accept our help we will take definitive action to bring them back into use, including issuing CPOs.

“Wandsworth Council is one of the most successful authorities in London when it comes to keeping the number of long-term private sector empty homes down – and we intend to make sure this doesn’t change.

“We are always open to working with property owners to get houses habitable again so if any homeowners want to find out what practical help is available I would urge them to contact our officers.”

The Government recently allocated £100m via the Homes and Communities Agency for bringing empty properties back into use.

From April this year the GLA will be responsible for the London element – estimated to be £15m – and the council is currently participating in a South West London sub regional Housing Partnership bid for funding.

As well as being a waste, long-term empties encourage vandalism, graffiti and other crimes, and can be a target for squatters and arsonists.

The town hall wants local people to get in touch with its dedicated team of officers, who are tasked with getting houses back into use, in order to report empty properties.

Property owners may be eligible to apply for a grant or loan to help meet the cost of major works or repair – providing it has been empty for at least six months.

Visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/emptyhomes or call 020 8871 7668 to find out more or report an empty home.