Barking and Dagenham Council has approved an updated Empty Property Policy aimed at tackling long-term empty homes, supporting vulnerable residents, and helping to create safer, cleaner neighbourhoods.
The revised policy reflects changes in national legislation which allow councils to charge significantly higher council tax premiums on properties that have been left empty for long periods. In some cases, owners of long-term empty homes can now be charged up to 400% council tax, providing a stronger incentive to bring properties back into use.
The policy also sets out how the council’s dedicated Empty Property Officer will work with owners to reduce the number of properties standing empty across the borough and return them to use as homes for local people.
Empty homes can have a significant impact on neighbourhoods, attracting antisocial behaviour, becoming eyesores, and, in some cases, falling into disrepair. Bringing these properties back into use not only improves local areas but also helps address housing pressures across the borough.
As part of the council’s wider efforts to tackle homelessness and increase access to good-quality housing, work is also underway to explore potential financial incentive schemes for owners of long-term empty properties, to bring them back into use. While no funding has currently been allocated, officers are developing a business case with Housing Services to investigate opportunities that could support property improvements in exchange for homes being made available to families in housing need.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, said: "Empty homes can have a real impact on local neighbourhoods. Our focus is on working with owners wherever possible to bring these properties back into use and help create safer, cleaner neighbourhoods for everyone."
"This updated policy gives us stronger tools to tackle long-term empty properties, including the ability to charge higher council tax premiums of up to 400% on homes that have been left empty for many years.”
Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Adult Social Care and Health, added: “Every home standing empty is a missed opportunity for a family in need of somewhere safe and secure to live. Bringing properties back into use will provide much-needed homes for local people and help prevent homelessness.”
The updated policy supports a number of the council’s priorities, including helping residents access good housing, preventing homelessness, supporting vulnerable people, and ensuring communities benefit from inclusive growth and regeneration across the borough.