The Council Gain Power To Tackle Empty Homes
Under guidance published today (10th March 2009) the government is to award more power to councils to put empty homes back into use.
At a time when house building has slowed down, the government have introduced this scheme in a bid to provide more homes. The government will allow local authorities to use a range of measures, including placing pressure on home owners to bring their empty properties back into use by putting adverts in newspapers and/or visiting home addresses, and issuing EDMOs (Empty Dwelling Management Orders) as a last resort. The guidance shows councils how best to carry out the procedures.
Communities and Local Government (CLG) explained that EDMOs allow councils to take over the management of the property, although not the property itself, and that the threat of such an order can work well.
CLG also said that under the local democracy, economic development and construction Bill currently progressing through parliament, local residents would be able to petition councils to bring empty homes back into use.
“I believe that with an increased focus and more consistent approach, we can bring more homes bank into use,” housing minister Margaret Beckett commented. “With housebuilding slowing in the current economic climate, that is more important than ever.
“The new guidance helps strengthen the role of councils by setting out the broad powers they have to deal with empty homes, and it is part of a range of actions we are taking to support the regeneration of our towns and cities.”
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At a time when house building has slowed down, the government have introduced this scheme in a bid to provide more homes. The government will allow local authorities to use a range of measures, including placing pressure on home owners to bring their empty properties back into use by putting adverts in newspapers and/or visiting home addresses, and issuing EDMOs (Empty Dwelling Management Orders) as a last resort. The guidance shows councils how best to carry out the procedures.
Communities and Local Government (CLG) explained that EDMOs allow councils to take over the management of the property, although not the property itself, and that the threat of such an order can work well.
CLG also said that under the local democracy, economic development and construction Bill currently progressing through parliament, local residents would be able to petition councils to bring empty homes back into use.
“I believe that with an increased focus and more consistent approach, we can bring more homes bank into use,” housing minister Margaret Beckett commented. “With housebuilding slowing in the current economic climate, that is more important than ever.
“The new guidance helps strengthen the role of councils by setting out the broad powers they have to deal with empty homes, and it is part of a range of actions we are taking to support the regeneration of our towns and cities.”
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