This week marks Empty homes week, organised by Action on Empty Homes, which uses the week to highlight the growing problem of long-term empty properties across the UK.
In the financial year 2023-24, councils in England spent over £2 billion on temporary accommodation. This was spent on generally cramped, unsuitable housing, placing further stress on families, disrupting education and impacting on their health.
The most recent figures from October 2023 showed there were 261,189 empty homes in England that have been left dormant for six months or more, a big increase since its lowest point in 2016, and the highest level since 2011. Further, charities warn housing waiting lists are growing year on year, impacting those who have nowhere else to go who are being put up in council-provided temporary accommodation.
Bringing these empty homes back into use could be the key to help make major inroads in the reduction of the housing waiting list, especially with a number of these properties being three or four bedroom family homes.
We support Action on Empty Homes in their quest and want to add our voice to those calling for change. We aim to use our skills to provide a range of legal solutions to help public and private sector organisations take positive action to address the issue of empty properties.
How can we help?
Our dedicated Empty Homes Team and their trusted partners provide a wide range of services relating to empty properties including missing title documents, tracing services, missing property owners, landlord and tenant disputes and enforcement.
For more information about our Empty Homes Team and how we can help, don’t hesitate to contact the team on (0114) 218 4000 or email emptyhomes@tayloremmet.co.uk