Council launches campaign to get more empty homes in North Devon back into use

A bid to improve empty properties in North Devon and get them back on the market so people can use them again has been launched today (Monday, March 9).

North Devon Council is highlighting the wide range of support and advice it can offer owners of empty homes to help bring them back into use again and reduce the strain on the housing market.

The local campaign has been launched to coincide with National Empty Homes Week, which runs from today until March 15.

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The council says it continues to work hard to reduce the number of empty homes in the district and has a range of initiatives to support and encourage owners of empty homes to bring their properties back into use.

This includes an ongoing 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. Owners can opt to defer repayments for up to two years, allowing time to complete renovations.

The council can also providing advice to people interested in letting their home and assisting them to find tenants and provide tenancy support.

Plus it can offer 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.

Officers are also working on identifying long-term vacant properties and those with council tax arrears, then tracing and speaking with owners.

There is now a policy of charging council tax premium on homes empty for more than a year, a move which it is hoped will encourage homeowners to act.

There is ongoing work to identify empty homes that have fallen into disrepair and taking enforcement action, leading to properties being sold and renovated and visually improving the area.

Councillor Graham Bell, lead member for housing at the 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.”

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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 in Barnstaple throughout the coming week.

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