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Housing applications

We are dealing with a high demand for our services. If you have already submitted a housing application, we are doing our best to get back to you as soon as we are able to. We appreciate your patience during this delay. Get more information.

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Privately owned empty homes

Our empty homes scheme can help you unlock the value of your empty property.

We offer a range of services designed to make privately owned empty properties available for housing again.

When we receive notification that a property has been empty for 18 months or more, we will work with the owners to bring that property back into use. They will be offered advice, support and guidance about various options for the property.

You can report an empty home using the quick link at the top of this page.

In extreme cases where the owner chooses not to work with us, or an owner cannot be found, we will enforce a compulsory purchase order as a last resort.

Signs that a property might be an empty home

  • It may be boarded up
  • There could be overgrown gardens spilling out on to public footpaths or neighbouring property
  • It may have been vandalised or become a site for fly-tipping or anti-social behaviour
  • There could be issues with vermin infestation
  • A property that looks in good condition, but has definitely been empty for over 18 months

If you suspect a home may be empty and could be brought back into use, please call or email us using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

Council tax empty homes premium 

We wanted to ask your views on new powers that would allow us to increase premiums for properties that have been empty and unfurnished for two or more from April 2019.

Find out more about this consultation and the outcome of it on the consultations website.

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Ring us on: 0116 454 5100
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