City Council first council in the North West to take action

Carlisle City Council is the first council in the North West to use new housing powers that aim to put empty properties back into use.

The City Council is leading the way by using the new Housing Act 2004 powers to target houses and flats that have been unoccupied for long periods and bring them back onto the housing market.

A dilapidated house in Stanwix, that has been empty for 14 years, is the first house to be targeted. An Interim Empty Dwelling Management Order was served on the owner of 3 Dixon Street, off Etterby Road, on Monday (5 November). The City Council has secured occupation and management of the property and will ensure that necessary repairs works are undertaken on the property to make it habitable again.

The semi-detached house is in a popular residential area of similar properties and has fallen into serious disrepair. When inspected by Carlisle City Council earlier this year, the guttering on the gable end had fallen off and some slates were seen overhanging from the gable. The ground floor windows and doors have been boarded up and the first floor windows were broken. The front and rear gardens were overgrown with vegetation and the hedges were overgrown.

The state of the property had resulted in numerous complaints from local residents. Carlisle Housing Association also felt that the state of the house was potentially dangerous to one of their tenants who lives near to the property.

Authority was granted from a Residential Property Tribunal to authorise this City Council’s intervention and was the first time the North West tribunal had dealt with an application from a local authority within this area. The decision notice can be found by visiting The RPTS website.

Carlisle Cllr Judy Prest, Portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing said:

The City Council is the first local authority in the North West to use these new housing powers and we want to work with residents to tackle this type of problem. Empty properties are a blight on local communities and can often attract vandalism and cause considerable distress to neighbouring property owners and tenants. We want to send the message out that, in addition to providing support through renovation grants and advice, we will also take action against those owners who don’t take appropriate care for their properties. At a time of increased housing need we need look at bringing properties that are unoccupied and have been off the market for a long time back into use, for the benefit of local residents and their communities.

As part of the Interim Empty Dwelling Management Order the owner has to take action to renovate the house if not the City Council will undertake the work and recover the costs from the owner. This would be achieved from the rental income received when the property is brought back into a good state of repair.

An Empty Property Grants scheme is provided by the City Council and allows for 50% grants for works of up to £10,000.

To report and empty dwelling telephone 01228 817340 or email HousingandHealth@carlisle.gov.uk