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 (external link).
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