horizons
widening
Private Sector Empty Homes
Delivery Plan 2012–15
Contents
Introduction
Page 3
Why Do Homes Remain Empty?
Page 4
Why Target Empty Homes?
Page 5
Context
Page 6
How we tackle empty homes?
Page 9
Our Aims
Page 10
Priorities for Action
Page 11
Appendix 1 - Empty Property Matrix scoring – 2012
Page 15
Appendix 2 - Empty Homes Enforcement
Page 16
Appendix 3 - Powers available to local authorities to require action in
relation to vacant properties
Page 17
Action Plan - Priority 1: Encourage all empty home owners to bring their
properties back into use
Page 20
Action Plan - Priority 2: Provide innovative solutions to help bring empty
homes back into use and increase housing options in North Tyneside
Page 21
Action Plan - Priority 3: Maintain a coordinated approach to help identify
and tackle empty properties
Page 22
Action Plan - Priority 4: Consider whether enforcement action is
appropriate, proportionate and value for money
Page 23
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
Private Sector Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012- 2015
Introduction
The Empty Homes Delivery Plan is a clear and concise document to provide an
understanding of how the Council will tackle private sector empty homes in the
borough.
Government figures show there are over 285,808 private sector homes in England
that have been empty for 6 months or more. Of these 16,207 are in North East
England.
The reduction of the 845 long term private sector empty homes in North Tyneside is
a priority for the Council demonstrated by our commitment to this new Delivery Plan
and actions outlined in the Council Plan 2012-13.
This Delivery Plan takes forward the priorities set out in the borough’s first Empty
Homes Strategy in 2008.
(Figures relate to 2011-12)
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
1. Why Do Homes Remain Empty?
The work undertaken since our first empty homes strategy in 2008 has revealed that
homes become and remain empty for a wide variety of reasons. Some homes may
remain empty due to a change of ownership and this is expected. However where
homes remain empty for a significant period of time there may be other underlying
reasons. Some of the reasons given why homes may be left empty for longer than
six months are listed below:
Lack of funds for refurbishment
Slow refurbishment
Awaiting planning decisions
Reluctance to let out or sell
Owner in long term care / hospitalised
Probate, estate or legal ownership issues
Poor housing market
Perception that the property is an investment
Undecided on how to deal with the empty property
Lack of awareness of available options
Owner prefers the property empty
Lack of business acumen to see the potential of the empty home
The slow down of the housing market and the difficulties in obtaining mortgages
have undoubtedly contributed to the overall number of empty homes.
Although the Council has a responsibility in relation to the management of empty
homes in the borough the nature and scope of those actions must be determined by
the exact legal and personal position of each owner, balanced with the needs of the
wider community.
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
2. Why Target Empty Homes?
We know homes may be empty for a number of reasons. But whatever the reason
they are frequently a cause for concern for the owner and residents, becoming a
drain on resources and potentially dangerous and unsafe. The diagram below sets
out some reasons why all parties should work together to tackle empty homes.
HOMEOWNER
• Increased
income: Owners
can lose £7018
per year by leaving
a property empty *
• Increased capital
value
• Reduced costs of
insurance, repairs
and maintenance
• Reduced
opportunity for
squatting and
vandalism
• Access to
Council’s support
services in
managing property
Who benefits
from bringing
empty properties
back into use?
COMMUNITY
• Less anti-social behaviour
including vandalism, arson,
burglary, fly-tipping and
drug use
• Reduced opportunity for
negative impact on house
prices*
COUNCIL
• Increased
housing supply
• Reduced costs
in dealing with
complaints about
empty homes
• Increased
income from
Council Tax
• Contributes to
Sustainable
Communities
*Source: Empty Homes Agency (not including vandalism and depreciation)
By tackling empty properties we will:
improve the local environment and neighbourhood
reduce vandalism and associated anti-social behaviour
contribute towards addressing housing need by increasing housing provision
help regenerate affected areas and reduce the detrimental effect empty
properties have on the housing market.
At best empty properties are a waste of valuable resources, but often empty
properties can have devastating effects on neighbourhoods and their environment.
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
3. Context
National
In May 2010 the Coalition Agreement set out their commitment to explore a range of
measures to bring empty homes back into use. The government recognised the
need to harness the potential of empty homes to meet pressing housing need. By
May the following year the Communities Minister outlined the financial incentives the
government could offer to increase overall supply of housing.
The government’s new housing strategy “Laying the Foundations: A Housing
strategy for England” identifies the importance of returning empty homes to use
stating: “We are committed to bringing empty homes back to use, as a sustainable
way of increasing the overall supply of housing and reducing the negative impact
that neglected empty homes can have on communities.” To achieve their aim of
returning 3,000 empty homes back into use as low cost housing the government has
established a number of new initiatives which include:
A New Homes Bonus to encourage local authorities to increase housing
supply by building new homes and tackling empty homes
Providing an Empty Homes Toolkit of information and advice to deal with
empty homes
Investing £100million to enable housing associations to support local
authorities to bring over 3,000 empty homes back into use as low cost
housing
Consultation on a Council Tax premium for long term empty homes
Proposing changes to Empty Dwelling Management Orders to tackle the
worst long-term empty homes
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
Local Context
Empty homes in North Tyneside-Facts and figures
The following information shows some of the key facts and figures about the nature
of the Housing stock in North Tyneside and provides the context for the Empty
Homes Delivery Plan.
Where are the long-term empty homes in North Tyneside?
This graph demonstrates the distribution of long-term empty homes compared to the
North Tyneside average and the River Tyne North Bank (RTNB) regeneration area.
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
How has the picture changed?
This graph clearly shows the impact of the current economic slow down on the
predominance of long term empty homes.
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
4. How we tackle empty homes?
NTC has been committed to tackling empty homes in the borough for a number of
years. Reducing empty homes was a “stretch” target for a Local Public Service
Agreement between 2005 and 2008. This agreement enabled the Council to
successfully employ a dedicated officer to deal with empty homes, establish our
empty homes database and publish North Tyneside’s first Empty Homes Strategy.
Since 2005 we have returned over 600 properties to reoccupation using a wide
range of tools including specialist advice, enforcement, financial assistance and
private sector access schemes.
Resources for Empty Homes
Within the Council’s Housing Strategy Team the Affordable Homes Officer has
responsibility for engaging with owners of empty homes to bring them back into use.
The AHO is responsible for coordinating action by a number of service areas which
are responsible for legislation relating to empty homes as well as other partners e.g.
Police and Fire Service.
Council Tax records, the Property Gazetteer and Land Registry information are used
to provide the Housing Strategy Team with a working database of empty homes.
The information is used to enable the team to monitor the total number of empty
homes and ownership details. The AHO also monitors ongoing complaints as well as
identifying specific clusters, streets or wards where empty homes are increasing in
number or are particularly prominent. The nature of issues which surround empty
homes ensures that the AHO will have competing demands upon their available
resources of time and finance. That is why we have used this data to inform our
priorities and approach to intervention for effective targeting.
The AHO contacts the owners of all empty property in the borough which have been
empty for 6 months or more to survey and gain a better understanding of empty
homes in North Tyneside. The Council uses a variety of tools for bringing empty
homes back into use. These range from incentives aimed at encouraging owners of
empty properties to bring them back into use to enforcement tools if an owner is not
willing or if a property is in a dangerous state.
There are currently over 800 empty homes in the borough which have been empty
for more than 6 months. To ensure transparency we have devised an assessment
matrix in order to prioritise competing demands. This matrix reflects the priorities of
this delivery plan. See page 15. Limitations on resources and owners’ varied
circumstances mean that there will be some differences in the way each property is
dealt with.
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
5. Our Aims
The Plan contains our key priorities and actions to reduce the number of long-term
empty homes in North Tyneside over the next three years. These are to:
Encourage all empty home owners to bring their properties back into
use
Provide innovative solutions to help bring empty homes back into use
and increase housing options in North Tyneside
Develop a coordinated approach to help identify and tackle empty
properties
Consider whether enforcement action is appropriate, proportionate and
value for money
Our spatial priorities for action will focus on:
Interventions in regeneration areas and areas with a higher than average
level of empty homes
Homes that have a negative impact on a neighbourhood and could
provide access to affordable housing
Space above retail units in our town centres
This plan highlights what the Council and Registered Providers and North Tyneside
Homes will do to tackle empty homes but it is important that everybody helps to
reduce the numbers by playing their part and informing the Council of any
problematic empty homes they know of.
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
6. Priorities for Action
To achieve our overall objective of reducing long-term empty homes in the borough
we will focus on delivering 4 key aims:
1. Encourage all empty home owners to bring their properties back into use
The Council’s primary approach to tackling the issue of empty properties is to work
with owners to encourage them to bring the property back into use on a voluntary
basis. This will be done in a variety of ways:
Advice and Assistance
Some owners of empty homes do not know what to do with them and we can provide
advice and assistance to help them. The initial approach is to offer them advice and
address the issues and concerns about the nuisance that can be associated with
empty homes. The Council can:
offer a Trusted Trader Scheme which provides contact details of reputable
trades people available to owners
provide advice and support to gain reduced VAT rate on building materials
make owners aware of their legal obligations and the legal options available to
the Council if homes are not returned to use
offer discounted rates at local auction houses for owners who wish to sell their
property
provide practical management advice on security and maintenance
signpost to appropriate alternative funding schemes and advise on eligibility
for the Council’s Financial Assistance scheme
North Tyneside Private Landlord Service (NTPLS) and Landlord Accreditation
Schemes
NTPLS and the associated accreditation schemes offer advice and assistance to
private landlords in North Tyneside. The schemes help to raise standards in the
private rented sector by encouraging minimum letting standards, engaging with
landlords, providing tenant referencing services, facilitating a quarterly landlord’s
forum and advice on all aspects of letting property. If owners of empty homes want to
rent out their property they are referred to NTPLS. Officers provide advice to enable
landlords to set up a successful tenancy and comply with all legal requirements.
Business Advice
It is important owners of empty homes and potential landlords receive sound
business advice when deciding on the best reuse options for their property. All
owners who register with NTPLS will have access to the North Tyneside Council
Business Forum and specialist small business advice service.
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2. Provide innovative solutions to help bring empty homes back into use and
increase housing options in North Tyneside.
North Tyneside Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS) and Bond Bank
The DGS scheme assists low-income households to secure good quality rented
accommodation. Officers inspect and survey empty homes and agree on the
required standards with the owner. This ensures they are in a fit and habitable
condition before they are brought back into use. Support is given to both landlord
and tenant throughout the life of the guarantee. In addition the Bond Bank Scheme
provides access to the private rented sector for single homeless people who do not
require support. Both schemes offer new landlords a way to let their property with
advice and assistance from the Council.
Tyne and Wear Homes
Tyne and Wear Homes is the letting system we use to allocate social housing
throughout North Tyneside. The aim of Tyne and Wear Homes is to give people
more choice in deciding where they want to live. To increase this choice we now also
offer private landlords the opportunity to advertise their empty properties through the
service. Homes that are available for rent are advertised on this site each week.
Lease to Let Scheme
The Council, in partnership with local Registered Providers, can offer this service to
empty home owners who have limited funds for refurbishment. The scheme offers
empty home owners an interest free loan in the form of capital works to bring their
property up to the decent homes standard. The Registered Provider will then lease
the property and let it out. The income generated is shared between the owner and
housing provider in order to repay the initial capital outlay over an agreed time
period.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance helps towards the cost of works to bring the property up to the
Decent Homes Standard. This financial assistance can be offered to individual empty
home owners or to larger landlords who agree to let their property through one of the
Council letting schemes. We will also explore the possibility of providing financial
assistance for first time buyers who purchase a long-term empty home.
Work Based Learning
We offer the owners of long-term empty properties the opportunity to work in
partnership with our In Work Training team to help them carry out cost effective
refurbishment of properties and training opportunities for apprentices.
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
3. Maintain a coordinated approach to help identify and tackle empty
properties.
The Housing Strategy Team works closely with our Council Tax colleagues to ensure
we receive all available information about empty property in the borough.
Information is shared on a monthly basis to maintain an up to date record and
mapped using GIS to assess geographical clusters.
Information about empty homes is received from a variety of sources including
neighbours, the police and other Council service areas, as well as members of the
public and Councillors. To ensure a swift response to all concerns we have
developed an online reporting system.
On the receipt of information about a particular property, we will arrange to survey it
to assign it a priority banding (appendix1). This information is then used to contact
the property owner to get the property back into use if this is the most appropriate
course of action.
A flow diagram showing the process for dealing with empty homes can be found at
appendix 2 at the end of this plan.
One reason why empty homes represent a difficult issue for Councils is that
resolutions rely on concerted actions by a number of service areas and the
willingness of the owner to engage. In North Tyneside the Housing Strategy Team
has led on the reuse of empty homes due to the potential for providing additional
housing. However enforcement action is taken by the Environmental Health or
Planning Teams and the linkages between these teams is very important. These
teams have always worked very closely but this action plan will formalise this
arrangement by establishing a cross service and external partner empty homes
group.
4. Consider whether enforcement action is appropriate, proportionate and
value for money
We recognise that owners of empty property may have good and valid reasons for
keeping a property unoccupied for sustained periods. However, as an authority, it is
our role to ensure that good quality housing stock is available to the people of North
Tyneside. Where informal negotiations have failed, including offers of financial
assistance, we will then consider the use of the powers available to us to reduce the
number of empty homes.
In these circumstances the Council has powers to:
Serve Notice on owners whose property is causing a statutory nuisance
where the owner has failed to willingly remedy the cause
Carry out the works ‘in default’, should an owner refuse to comply with the
terms of the Notice within the timescale given. This will result in a charge
being registered against the property. The charge will also include an
administration fee.
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As a last resort the Council may consider using powers to remove ownership or
management responsibility so that it can be reoccupied. This will only be considered
when the property has been empty for a substantial period of time or causing a
considerable nuisance and it is felt that it is unlikely to be brought back into use
without this action. Properties will be considered carefully by officers from the cross
service empty homes group to ensure that all other options have been exhausted
and any action will be approved by Cabinet Member for Housing. There are 3
options that the Council can choose to use:
Compulsory Purchase Orders (Section 17 Housing Act 1985)
Enforced Sale (section 103 Law of Property Act 1925)
Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) (Housing Act 2004)
For a full list of the range of enforcement powers in relation to empty homes see
appendix 3.
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
Appendix 1
Empty Property Matrix scoring – 2012
Classification
Property
type
Location
Time vacant
Score
Detached/Purpose built flat
Flat over commercial
Semi detached
Terraced
5
10
10
15
Prominent site (main road)
Empty Properties more than 2 in close proximity
Regeneration areas
Less than 6 months
6-12 months
12-24 months
24-36 months
36+ months
10
25
30
0
5
10
15
20
Management Marketed or managed (secure, tidy gardens, no rubbish)
standard
Enforcement action (points per notice)
Complaint received
Property charges – land registry
Evidence of poor management (fly-tipping/overgrown
garden)
Boarded up windows
Owner
No response from owner to any correspondence
contact
No reliable address for owner (letters returned)
No firm plans for bringing property back into use
No confirmed funding to bring property back into use
0
10
10
10
20
Future
potential
5
10
10
Add points for each potential unit of accommodation
DGS – Potential
Lease to Let Potential
Total Score (higher score = priority)
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
25
10
10
10
10
Appendix 2
Empty Homes Enforcement
Property empty
6+ months
Priority
Advice and assistance to Yes
owner – Is there a need for
other service involvement?
No
No further
action required
Yes
Has advice and other
service involvement
brought the property
back into use?
Letters sent /
Yes
notices served?
No
No
Has the
Causing a
property been Yes Nuisance? Yes
empty at least
2 years?
No
No
No
Are there
land charge
debts
registered?
Yes
No
Are there
Council Tax
arrears?
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
No
Yes
More than
£1,000
No
Is CPO an
option?
Ye
s
Less than 12
years old?
Yes
No
Financially Yes
viable?
EDMO
No
Enforced
sale – land
charges
No
Yes
No
No
No Further action.
Continue to consider
options.
More than
£1,000?
Charges
registered
No
Community
Subject to
support for Yes exemption?
EDMO?
No
Yes
Work carried out Yes
in default?
Agreed with
Council Tax?
Yes
Enforced
sale –
Council Tax
No
Yes
CPO
Appendix 3
Powers available to local authorities to require action in relation to
vacant properties
There are a number of powers available to local authorities to deal with the removal
of materials from premises, especially dwelling houses.
The powers are as follows:
Section 215 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 – Waste Land Notice
Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Section 215
Where a property is having a detrimental impact on the amenity of an area, a notice
under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 may be served
requiring the owner to address the unsightly external appearance. Where an owner
fails to comply with such a notice, the Council may undertake the works in default
and make a charge against the property. Not only would the use of Section 215
notices improve the amenity of an area, but they could also be used for the basis of
an enforced sale. Many local authorities are routinely using Section 215 notices as a
tool to help bring properties back into use.
Section 79 and 80 Environment Protection Act 1990 – Abatement Notice:
Statutory nuisance includes (1) premises in such a state as to be prejudicial to health
or a nuisance and (2) accumulations or deposits which are prejudicial to health or a
nuisance (this will not include inert matter but only substances which are threatening
to health or will give rise to disease, vermin etc.). Whether the circumstances in a
particular case amount to nuisance for the purposes of the Act would have to be
looked at. If a nuisance exists, the authority can serve an abatement notice requiring
steps to be taken to remedy the situation within a stated period of time. The notice is
served on the person responsible for the nuisance or the owner or occupier. There
is a right of appeal to the Magistrates’ Court. It is an offence to fail to comply with an
abatement notice. The local authority can take steps to abate the nuisance and the
expenses incurred can be recovered from the person causing the nuisance. If that
person is the owner the expenses can be charged upon the property. As with the
Town and Country Planning Act where debts are incurred they may form the basis
for enforced sale.
Section 76 Building Acts 1984:
If the procedure under the Environment Protection Act would result in unreasonable
delay in remedying the position, an authority can serve a notice on the person
involved saying the authority intends to remedy the position. After 9 days the Local
Authority may execute the works and recover the expenses. This procedure is
subject to counter-notice, and to enquiry by the Court in any proceedings by the
Authority to recover expenses as to whether the Local Authority was justified in using
this provision.
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Section 77-79 Building Acts 1984:
These provisions apply if the condition of the premises is such as to be dangerous.
This relates more to the structure and fabric of buildings than materials deposited.
The authority can apply to a Magistrates’ Court for an order that works be carried out
to obviate the problem. The local authority has a right to execute the works if the
person against whom the order is made fails to comply. The authority can recover
its expenses. Section 79 provides that if a building is ruinous or dilapidated and
because of that seriously detrimental to the amenity of an area, the authority may by
notice require works of repair or restoration to be carried out. In default, the authority
can do the work and seek a fine. The provision is subject to a right of appeal to the
Magistrates’ Court against the notice requiring work.
Local Authority’s Land Act 1963
The local authority may for the benefit or improvement of their area erect any
building or construct or carry out any works on land. The authority would have to
carry out the work and bear the costs. This is not in itself a power for the authority to
enter premises without the owner’s consent but simply enables us to do the work by
agreement if that would facilitate an improvement.
The use of these provisions can result in the owner of an empty property being
indebted to the local authority. Where these debts are not met then the authority can
apply for an Enforced Sale Order. Enforced sale is actually a procedure that allows
local authorities to recover debt, but can also serve as a way of bringing empty
properties back into use. The procedure gives local authorities the power to sell
properties in order to release the money tied up in the value of the property. This
enables them to recover the money owed. Where the owner fails to repay the debt
secured on their property, the power enables the local authority to force the sale of
the property in order to recover the cost.
Compulsory Purchase:
There are compulsory purchase powers subject to detailed consideration of the
circumstances. The authority may acquire land compulsorily for the purpose of their
functions under Section 226, Town and Country Planning Act 1990 a local authority
with the authority of the Secretary of State has power to acquire land compulsorily
which is suitable for development, redevelopment or improvement.
There are often difficulties in identifying the owner and occupier of properties. The
Council does however have powers under Section 16, Local Government
Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976 to requisition information from anyone who has
an interest in premises as to the details of ownership and occupation. Searches can
also be carried out in the Land Registry.
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Housing Act 2004: Empty Dwelling Management Orders
The Housing Act 2004 introduced new discretionary powers to enable Councils to
take over the management of an empty dwelling with the aim of securing its re
occupation. Where an owner of an empty property has turned down the Local
Authority or Registered Providers offers of help to bring the property back into use,
and can offer no good reason why the property should remain empty, and the
property is in decline, the Local Authority may be able to lease the home to meet
housing need without the owners permission. This remains the only power which
can deal directly with the long term reoccupation of a property.
Enforced Sale: S103 of Law of Property Act 1925
Enforced Sale enables the sale of an empty property to be forced by the Council via
auction or to a preferred purchaser to enable the recovery of costs incurred in
dealing with an empty property.
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
Priority 1: Encourage all empty home owners to bring their properties back into use
ACTIONS
Identify and Contact
all owners of Empty
Homes over 6
months to identify
potential reuse
options
QUARTER 1
Conduct Retail
Centres Survey for
“Living above the
Shop”
Establish target
properties based on
Empty Homes Matrix
Contact all empty
home owners in
RTNB
Develop a
Review and improve
communication plan our internet advice to
to increase
owners of empty
awareness of empty homes
homes
Ensure that empty
home owners
receive business
advice when
considering reuse
options
QUARTER 2
Contact additional
empty home owners
outside of RTNB
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
QUARTER 4
Contact additional
empty home owners
outside of RTNB
LEAD & PARTNERS
Affordable Homes
Officer, Town Centre
Manager
Hold Empty Homes
Open Day
Review results of
open day
Project Coordinator ,
AHO and NTC
Communications
Team
Roll out “Living above
the shop” offer to
Business Owners
Review and improve
our internet advice to
owners of empty
homes
Utilise Widening
Horizons and other
media to spread
message on empty
homes
Establish links and
Offer all Empty Home
referral routes to NTC Owners and
Business Forum and Landlords referral
specialist small
routes to NTC
business advice
Business Forum
service
Offer all Empty
Homes Owners and
Landlords referral
routes to NTC
Business Forum
QUARTER 3
Contact additional
empty home owners
outside of RTNB
Monitor access to
empty homes
assistance
Offer all Empty Home
Owners and
Landlords referral
routes to NTC
Business Forum
Offer all Empty Home
Owners and
Landlords referral
routes to NTC
Business Forum
Review landlords and
owners accessing
Business Forum
AHO
Priority 2: Provide innovative solutions to help bring empty homes back into use and increase
housing options in North Tyneside
ACTIONS
Develop additional
Financial
Assistance options
for Empty Home
Owners
QUARTER 1
Review current policy
with regional Loans
Technical Steering
Group and project
manager
QUARTER 2
Update policy to
include any additional
products to help
empty home owners
QUARTER 3
Launch additional
financial assistance
products
QUARTER 4
Review interest and
take up of additional
financial assistance
LEAD & PARTNERS
PC, AHO,
Environmental Health
Housing Team
Leader
Establish a
refurbishment
capital loan/ leasing
option for empty
home owners,
including living over
the shop option
Work with ISOS
Housing to establish
scheme criteria,
scheme governance
and Service Level
Agreement for access
to lease option
Proactively target
potential empty home
owners who could
benefit from scheme
Launch TCUK leasing Review interest and
option (subject to
take up of all leasing
funding)
schemes
Isos Housing, TCUK,
Town Centre
Manager, PC, AHO
Work with NTC “In
work training” team
to develop a cost
effective
refurbishment and
repair option for
empty home
owners.
Establish criteria,
scheme governance
and SLA with TCUK
Launch ISOS scheme for access to
community lease
Support TCUK
option.(subject to
application to HCA for funding)
community empty
homes bid
Hold “Living over the
Shop” agents day
Develop “Living over
Launch “Living Over
the Shop” offer
the Shop” option
In work training team Create web presence
to produce publicity
for In work training
material outlining
offer
their “offer”
Facilitate landlords’
forum to begin
publicity drive for In
work Training Team
Offer
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Review take up of In
work Training Offer
AHO, Construction
Programme CoCoordinator
Priority 3: Maintain a coordinated approach to help identify and tackle empty properties
ACTIONS
Establish a cross
service empty
homes group.
QUARTER 1
Develop terms of
reference and make
up of Empty Homes
Group
QUARTER 2
Hold empty home
group meeting to
develop solutions for
problematic empty
properties.
QUARTER 3
Hold empty home
group meeting to
develop solutions for
problematic empty
properties.
QUARTER 4
Hold empty home
group meeting to
develop solutions for
problematic empty
properties.
COMMENTS
P C, AHO
Hold first meeting
Identify and map all
long term empty
homes and
complaints
Review effectiveness
and make up of group
All properties mapped All properties mapped All properties mapped All properties mapped Housing Admin, AHO
and considered by
and considered by
and considered by
and considered by
Empty Homes Group Empty Homes Group Empty Homes Group Empty Homes Group
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Priority 4: Consider whether enforcement action is appropriate, proportionate and value for money
ACTIONS
Review EDMO
Management plan
QUARTER 1
Management Plan
Established with
North Tyneside
Homes
Investigate the
Establish National
possible use and
Best Practice
improved procedure
for enforced sale
Review current debt
management system
for private housing
teams
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Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
QUARTER 2
Produce monitoring
report for
management of
property including
cost incurred and
rental income
QUARTER 3
Produce monitoring
report for
management of
property including
cost incurred and
rental income
QUARTER 4
Review Management
Plan performance
COMMENTS
North Tyneside
Homes Operations
Manager, PC
Establish the number
of properties with
registered debt in
relation to works in
default
Assess potential
business case for
renewed enforced
sale procedure
Report of
recommendations
PC, EHTL, Corporate
Debt Manager,
Planning
Enforcement Team
Manager
24 | P a g e
Empty Homes Delivery Plan 2012-15
North Tyneside Council
Quadrant East
Silverlink North
Cobalt Business Park
Tyne and Wear
NE27 0BY
www.northtyneside.gov.uk
horizons
widening