Why are we building homes when so many are standing empty?

In England, there is a significant issue with empty homes, and many people are wondering why new homes are still being built when so many are already standing empty. Claudia Bowring, an empty homes officer for a borough council in Nottingham, plays a crucial role in addressing this problem. Her job involves various responsibilities, including acting as a detective, estate agent, family mediator, and sometimes even a grief counselor. According to recent statistics, there are nearly 700,000 empty and unfurnished homes in England, with 261,471 of them classified as 'long-term empty,' meaning they have not been occupied for six months or more. If all these empty homes could be restored and put back into use, it could potentially solve the housing crisis in the country, eliminating the need for the government to construct 1. 5 million new homes. However, the process of reviving these derelict and abandoned properties is far from straightforward. One of the primary challenges is identifying the owners of homes that have been vacant for years, and in some cases, even decades. Claudia often relies on the expertise of a genealogist to track down the owners of long-abandoned houses in her area of Rushcliffe. Unfortunately, many of these owners are not always receptive to being reminded of their responsibilities. Claudia explains, 'In some cases, people don’t really understand the seriousness of their property being empty. ' They often believe that since it is their house, the council has no authority to intervene. A common reason for homes becoming empty is the passing of the owners, which leads to a lengthy administrative process known as probate, during which their assets are divided among family members. Even after this process is completed, families may still be hesitant to part with the property. Claudia is currently facing this dilemma with one particular house in her area. The children of the deceased owner have strong emotional ties to the home where they grew up, and the idea of selling it or renting it out is difficult for them to accept. They have memories associated with the property, such as trees they planted in the garden during their childhood, and they do not want to see someone else living there. When persuasion fails, the council has other measures to encourage owners to take action regarding their empty homes. Like many local authorities, Rushcliffe imposes an additional council tax on homes that have been unoccupied for more than a year, known as the Empty Homes Premium, which was introduced by the previous government. If this approach does not yield results, the council can take enforcement action. They view abandoned properties as an environmental health concern, as derelict homes can attract vandalism and pests, negatively impacting the quality of life for neighboring residents. In some cases, the council can carry out emergency repairs on abandoned homes and then force a sale at auction to recover their costs. This can sometimes result in a financial gain for the owners who were initially reluctant to sell. Another tool available to the council is the Empty Dwelling Management Orders, which grant them the authority to take over and make repairs to private properties that have been vacant for at least two years. They can rent out these properties for up to seven years to recoup their expenses. Claudia Bowring is vigilant in identifying homes that can be revitalized and brought back into use. Since Rushcliffe began taking the issue seriously in 2019, they have successfully restored a modest but steady flow of properties. However, it is important to note that there is no legal obligation for local authorities to address empty homes, and some councils choose not to take action. Rushcliffe is motivated by a desire to enhance the quality of life for its residents and alleviate the housing shortage. Unlike many councils across the country, Rushcliffe is not facing financial difficulties and does not have a significant homelessness problem. Adam Cliff, a housing expert, points out that for some councils, addressing empty homes is considered a luxury. He emphasizes that it is not illegal to own an empty property, and different councils have varying priorities. As the secretary of the Empty Homes Network, Adam aims to raise awareness about the issue of empty homes among the public and politicians, advocating for it as an alternative to building on green belt land. He believes that a central government program should be established, providing funds for councils to access when they need financial support for enforcement actions. Additionally, he argues that probate laws should be reformed to prevent properties from remaining empty indefinitely. Campaign groups like Shelter are also concerned about the increasing number of privately-owned empty homes, even though their primary focus is on advocating for more social-rented homes to be built. Polly Neate, the chief executive of Shelter, stated, 'We desperately need more genuinely affordable social homes, and if the government is serious about its commitment to deliver them, it must do more to bring long-term empty homes back into use. ' Last year, Shelter produced a report highlighting the need for more homes, but this issue received little attention during the general election campaign, with only the Green Party including it in their manifesto. So far, there are few indications that the current Labour government considers it a priority. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated, 'Councils have a range of tools at their disposal to bring empty homes back into use, including charging additional council tax on vacant properties. We are committed to building 1. 5 million homes and delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation. This will unlock thousands of homes and make the dream of homeownership a reality for more people across the country. ' Those working with empty homes often express a strong sense of purpose in their roles. Adam Cliff became interested in the issue as a teenager and even wrote his university dissertation on it. Claudia Bowring finds satisfaction in revitalizing 'dead properties. ' However, with limited interest from the central government and tightening council budgets, it seems unlikely that new colleagues will join this important field anytime soon.