Housing

Empty properties

Why empty homes can be a problem:

The need for affordable housing

There are more than 400 homes in South Oxfordshire, which have been empty for more than six months. At the same time we are facing increasing shortages of affordable housing for renting and buying. We currently have nearly 2200 people on our housing register either homeless or in need of suitable housing.

Disrepair, nuisance and vandalism

Empty homes can also be a nuisance to communities, attracting vandals and squatters, resulting in petty crime and anti-social behaviour. Homes which are left unoccupied tend to fall into disrepair quite quickly and the value of the property (and neighbouring homes) can be severely affected.

Bringing empty homes back into use

Property owners

If you own an empty home, you are missing out on rental income. Please ask us about loans and other ways to bring the property back into use. We can help find tenants, and in certain circumstances we can provide interest-free loans to carry out essential repairs.

Report an empty property

If you know of an empty home, please tell us about it and we will encourage the owner to use or sell the property.Please note that we cannot release a list of empty properties to the public.

For more information on empty properties, please contact Private Sector Housing.

Empty Property Management Orders

Worried residents have been contacting the Council, alarmed by reports in some national newspapers and on the radio, that local authorities plan to seize empty homes. These reports have suggested councils might seize a house under certain circumstances, for example, where a bereaved family has not decided what to do with an inherited property.

The Council is keen to see wasted homes used, but we are sensitive to the problems some owners face. Wherever possible, the Council wishes to help owners of empty homes to put their asset to a good use.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has issued a statement refuting some of the claims made in the press; you can find further information on this issue from the Department for Communities and Local Government website.

Contact us

Residents wanting more information about using empty homes can call the private sector housing officer on 01491 823238.

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