Two properties in Somercotes and Ripley that had been left empty and were falling into disrepair have been given a new lease of life after Amber Valley Borough Council took action to bring them back into use.
The Council took steps to enforce Empty Dwelling Management Orders on the owners of the two properties – the first time such powers have been used in the Borough.
Both properties had been empty for some time. Local residents had contacted the Council’s Empty Property Officer asking that action be taken as the houses were attracting nuisance behaviour and fly tipping.
When attempts to negotiate with the owners to bring their properties into use failed, Amber Valley Borough Council began proceedings to impose Empty Dwelling Management Orders.
Norman Bull, Cabinet Member for Health, Safety and Housing at Amber Valley Borough Council, said: “Properties left empty for long periods of time are a blight on the local neighbourhood – they can attract anti-social behaviour and reduce the value of surrounding properties. Taking steps to bring them back into use not only transforms an eyesore property on the street and improves the local environment, but also helps make the community a safer place to live.
“At any one time there are between 800 and 900 properties within the Borough that have been empty for six months or more. In all cases the Council will approach the owners and landlords of these properties to determine if they need help to bring their properties back into use. If not, we monitor progress on these properties until they’re occupied again. Whilst enforcement will only usually be used when all other options for resolving the situation have been exhausted, Empty Dwelling Management Orders are an additional means for us to effectively tackle the problem of unused or abandoned properties.”
Once proceedings to apply Empty Dwelling Management Orders were underway, the owners were prompted to take action. The property in Somercotes has now been refurbished and is occupied, whilst the one is Ripley is sold subject to contract. All costs have been met by the owners of the properties.
A Somercotes’ resident living on the same street as the empty property said: "Since getting Amber Valley Borough Council involved it took eight months to get the house sorted, after three years of the property being vandalised. I would recommend anyone in the same position to pursue the same avenue”.
Anyone wanting advice and support on how to deal with an empty property or anyone wishing to report an empty property in Amber Valley should contact the Council’s Empty Property Officer on 01773 841340.
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For further information please contact Lisa Garnham, PR and Communications Manager at Amber Valley Borough Council, on 01773 841655.
Notes for editors
Empty Dwelling Management Orders were introduced in the Housing Act 2004, and are intended to bridge the gap between failed negotiations and Compulsory Purchase by speeding the process up and passing all costs back to the owner.
They give local authorities the power to take over management of a property that has been empty for six months or more where owners have failed to bring them into occupation.
Certain properties are exempt, such as those going through probate, those awaiting a Planning Application determination, those where someone has gone temporarily abroad or is in hospital, or where it's a holiday home.
Any council that wants to take over a property must go first to the Residential Property Tribunal Service for a ruling. The tribunal will weigh up the interests of the owners and the benefit renting it out would bring, before coming to a decision. With regard to the two properties in Amber Valley, the situation was resolved without the Council needing to apply to the Residential Property Tribunal to agree the Empty Dwelling Management Order.
Local authorities can take over management of the property for up to seven years at a time and can impose consecutive orders if necessary. During this time the Authority, or its management partner, is expected to carry out any repairs required and then let the property. If there is any surplus income left over from the rent at the end of the Order this is paid back to the owner.
