Empty Homes Stategy

We aim:

To raise awareness of the issue of empty homes and wasted space

To outline the current position in the borough

To propose ways in which a co-ordinated approach between the Housing Services and a wide range of organisations and individuals can maximise the opportunities available to bring into use empty properties and wasted space to the benefit of the community, property owners, and those in housing need.

To make maximum use of funding opportunities, which will enable additional resource to be applied to bringing, empty properties back into use.

A home that stands empty causes problems. If it’s not secure it can attract vandals and burglars. It can get overgrown and filled with rubbish, and can soon become an eyesore. If it gets very run-down it’s a safety risk too.

Empty homes bring down an area and threaten the health of the local community. If a privately owned home is causing problems like this, report it to us now. Phone Private Sector Housing on 01384 814313, email us, or call in at our office at 17 St James’s Road, Dudley.

After you contact us we will inspect the problem and send the owner an official request to secure the property and clear any rubbish. If they don’t respond, or refuse to act, we can do the work ourselves and send the owner the bill. If they refuse to pay, we can put a special charge on the property, which means the owner can’t sell it without paying up. We will use any powers given to us to meet the objective as set out above. We also have a financial assistance package for owners of difficult to let or sell empty properties as set out in our Housing Assistance scheme.