Bringing vacant properties back to life
18 Aug 2010
THERE are a number of empty properties in the Horsham District and Horsham District Council has started an initiative to bring some of them back into use.
Many long term empty properties can be seen as a wasted resource in housing terms; neglected properties can be a nuisance to neighbours and a potential place for anti-social behaviour.
They can also be a financial burden on the owners who may still be liable to pay Council tax as well as being responsible for property maintenance.
When there is an empty property which has remained unused for a long period of time, initially the property owner is contacted by the Council and given advice. Grants are available to help bring properties back into use in return for taking tenants nominated by the Council.
If that fails, or the owner is uncooperative, then there are a series of measures that may be available to the Council to make an application to the Court and to ultimately force the sale of the property. The Council has already taken possession and is in the process of selling two properties by using Court Orders, and there are more in the pipeline.
For further information or to report an empty property, please contact Horsham District Council on 01403 215423 or email penny.marsh@horsham.gov.uk
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CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk