Empty Homes Strategy 2022

Proposal

Our draft Empty Homes Strategy seeks to provide an overview of the numbers of empty homes in Shropshire, why homes can become empty and how, especially long term, empty homes are a wasted resource, so it's important that they're brought back into use.

Moreover, the strategy provides a policy framework, setting out current processes for identifying empty homes, current and potential future initiatives to bring empty homes back into use, and the range of enforcement activities that, subject to assessment and sufficient resources, can be considered.

The draft strategy has four objectives:

Maintain relevant, accurate and current information relating to empty homes in the area

Using council tax data and other information we'll maintain a database of dwellings that have been empty for over six months. This will include the reason for the dwelling being empty.

Bring empty homes back into use through encouragement, advice and assistance

We'll provide advice and signposting to owners of empty homes, and explore opportunities to bring empty homes back into use through 'purchase and repair' to deliver affordable housing, and a social lettings agency which would provide a management service for owners of empty homes.

Where all other negotiation has failed, consider options for taking the appropriate enforcement action to ensure empty homes are brought back into use

Although we aim to bring empty homes back into use working with owners, there may be exceptional circumstances where enforcement action is taken. However, this will be on the basis of an assessment of the empty property using a scoring matrix, and subject to sufficient resources.

Raise awareness of the Empty Homes Strategy with residents, dwelling owners and town and parish councils

Empty homes are a wasted resource, can look unsightly and can also result in crime and anti-social behaviour. Therefore, it's important that owners of empty homes seek advice from us on the options for bringing them back into use.

To comment on the strategy, just click on the 'How to get involved' tab at the top of the page.