| Boarded up houses a waste of a valuable resource - 22nd Nov '08 |
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A Peasedown councillor called on the council at its full meeting last Thursday to stop the waste of a valuable resource which could help to solve the acute housing problems suffered by families in the authority's area on the housing register or in unsuitable accommodation.
Cllr Sarah Bevan (Lib Dem, Peasedown) suggested a makeover grant scheme for all private landlords whose properties have fallen into disrepair and spoil the environment for others, encouraging low level crime and antisocial behaviour.
"One of our neighbouring councils has successfully rescued many private properties suitable for living in by offering not only grants, but also professional guidance on lettings, builders, rent deposit schemes, private sector leasing and lettings schemes and general assistance with every aspect of the renovation
A year or so ago I made contact with the landlords of all the empty commercial properties in my ward. A single letter and follow up telephone call was all it took to encourage them to bring their properties up to habitable standard and advertise for tenants. The benefits to residents of the dramatically improved public realm were such that this area is now attracting a high quality of retailer and much more passing trade.
There is no reason why the same can't be done with empty housing."
She added:
"There are 13 long term empty homes in my ward alone, and 546 privately owned, empty properties vacant for longer than 6 months in the whole authority - this is a terrible waste of a valuable resource.
However, the method used to arrive at a total doesn't take into account those properties not attracting council tax, so the real number, although obviously much bigger, can only be ascertained by a walking task force literally covering every street.
Whatever the grand total, these are potential homes and potential income and potential change in the local environment that could be transformed in the same way."
She gave examples of other rewards Mendip council has offered to those involved in the renovation projects, such as awards for design and the option for landlords to hand over their properties to Housing Associations, with the resultant guaranteed rental income and freedom from management worries.
Properties are handed back in the same condition as they were when the arrangement started, should the landlord wish to sell the property, use it himself, or rent it out privately.
She added:
"I know that in the past some elements of the above have been put into practice here in a piecemeal fashion over the years, but given that homelessness and waiting lists for families in need of proper accommodation is now a constant and worrying preoccupation and will be for some time to come, I would like to call for a similar initiative from this council, with elected members and officers dedicated to the rescue of these properties which in turn would result in the revitalisation of communities, a reduction in petty crime and vandalism and restoration of pride in areas in danger of sinking into sad and unnecessary dereliction."
Supplementary information
Here's what one of our neighbouring councils has done to tackle this untapped resource, much needed at this time when we are under enormous and unrealistic pressure to build 21,000 new homes in the area:
1 The initiative to renovate privately owned empty homes was given a makeover to make it much more attractive for landlords and encourage them to be part of a action plan which is socially beneficial to all concerned - Let's Move Mendip. Ours could be Bath and North East Somerset council's 'New Lease of Life' initiative
2 Owners of these properties are offered a wide range to services by the council to advise them on lettings, builders, rent deposit schemes, private sector leasing and lettings schemes and general assistance with every aspect of the renovation
3 Awards are offered for the best refurbishment designs, which again give landlords much needed recognition and a sense of pride in their achievements
4 Once renovated, landlords can opt to have their properties managed by existing local Housing Associations, providing good quality homes for families on the local housing register. If they do this, they could be entitled to a grant for each separate dwelling to be brought up to habitable standard
5 This gives them a regular guaranteed income free from maintenance and management worries with the added guarantee that if they want to take their properties off the housing register list, they will be returned in the condition in which they were handed over
I know that in the past some elements of the above have been put into practice here in a piecemeal fashion over the years, but given that homelessness and waiting lists for families in need of proper accommodation is now a constant and worrying preoccupation and will be for some time to come, I would like to call for a similar initiative from this council, with elected members and officers dedicated to the rescue of these properties which in turn would result in the revitalisation of communities, a reduction in petty crime and vandalism and restoration of pride in areas in danger of sinking into sad and unnecessary dereliction.
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