Empty Homes Strategy

Empty homes in the city

Our Empty Homes Strategy 2021-26 explains how we will address the issue of empty homes in the city.

We work with owners of empty, private sector, properties to see them brought back into use. Our aim is to help and persuade owners to bring their empty home back into use without the need to take enforcement action, however appropriate enforcement tools will be used where necessary.

Long-term empty homes:

• are more at risk of crime and antisocial behaviour and put greater demand on emergency services, such as the Police and Fire and Rescue Service
• put adjoining properties at risk of damage
• can bring a sense of decay and decline to a neighbourhood and may make an area less inviting to tenants, property owners and investors
• are a waste of accommodation at a time of high housing demand.