Owners of vacant properties are being urged to make the most of assistance available to them through North Devon Council as it supports National Empty Homes Week (9-15 March).
The campaign gives local authorities the opportunity to publicise the information and assistance available for owners of empty properties to help bring them back to use, as well as offering residents advice on how to report any empty homes in their neighbourhoods which are causing concern.
The council continues to work hard to reduce the number of empty homes in North Devon and has a range of initiatives to support and encourage owners of empty homes to bring their properties back into use, which include:
- a continuing partnership with Lendology CIC to provide affordable loans to owners of empty homes to renovate, develop and convert their properties and provide housing to people who live and work in North Devon
- providing advice to people interested in letting their home and assisting them to find tenants and provide tenancy support
- operating a matchmaker service to connect owners of empty homes who are looking to sell with potential buyers, investors or developers who want to buy an empty property
- identifying long-term vacant properties and those with council tax arrears and tracing and engaging with owners
- charging council tax premium on homes empty for more than a year, a move which is hoped to encourage homeowners to act
- identifying empty homes that have fallen into disrepair and taking enforcement action, leading to properties being sold and renovated and visually improving the local area
Councillor Graham Bell, Lead Member for Housing at North Devon Council, said: "By supporting National Empty Homes Week, we want to remind owners that help is available—whether that’s advice, financial support, or practical guidance to bring a property back into use. Every home we can return to the market has the potential to be a safe and secure home for someone in North Devon who is in desperate need of one.
"Returning properties to use helps us strengthen our communities, improve our neighbourhoods and make a real difference to local people. I would encourage anyone with an empty property to get in touch and find out how we can support them."
More information about National Empty Homes Week and North Devon Council's Empty Homes Project is available at the Town Centre Hub in Green Lanes Shopping Centre, Barnstaple, throughout the week.
Lendology CIC is a social enterprise lender which provides empty property loans to homeowners which help spread the costs of renovation projects. Lendology is able to consider applications from individuals who may have inherited a property but are unsure of how to bring it back into use, through to companies converting a portfolio of properties.
Owners can also opt to defer repayments for up to two years, allowing those with empty homes the time to complete their renovations.
Information and advice on the Empty Homes Project, including how to report an empty home and advice for homeowners, is now available on the council's website at www.northdevon.gov.uk/housing/empty-homes-project.
For more information about the loan scheme, visit www.lendology.org.uk.