VISITORS to Hartlepool Civic Centre and the adjoining Law Courts are advised that essential repair work will start shortly at the front entrance to the building. From next week (w/c 6th February)
Empty Homes
Dealing with Empty Homes in Hartlepool
In Hartlepool there are a number of long term empty homes. Empty homes are a wasted resource which can become a target for arson, dumping of rubbish and vandalism. Empty homes have a huge social impact - they can affect the appearance of a neighbourhood and people living nearby have to suffer the consequences if an empty home becomes derelict or is vandalised.
Returning long term empty homes back into use is a key concern for communities and Hartlepool Borough Council is committed to bringing these homes back into use.
An empty home is more than just a home lost to the community. Empty homes also cost more to insure, provide no rental income, can be liable for charges in respect of council tax and utilities and are more prone to being vandalised and damaged. Many owners of empty homes do not realise that an empty home is a wasted resource and could be turned into an asset. Selling or letting an empty home could provide a significant income for their owners e.g. an empty home could be generating £300 to £400 per month in rental income.
Hartlepool Borough Council's Empty Homes Strategy 2010 to 2015 outlines the Council's approach to ensure that empty homes are brought back into use.
Initially the Council will identify ownership of empty homes and will then try to engage with owners and offer advice and support to encourage owners to bring empty homes back into use.
Where negotiations with owners to bring an empty home have broken down the Council has a range of powers to deal with the problems associated with empty homes ranging from securing empty homes against unauthorised access to enforcement action such as Enforced Sale, Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO).
The Council has produced an Empty Homes Strategy and Action Plan for 2010 - 2015. There is also an Empty Properties leaflet for further information.
External Links
Hartlepool Borough Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites and does not endorse any product or organisation contained therein
Empty Homes
Address: Private Sector Housing
Hartlepool Borough Council
Bryan Hanson House
Hanson Square
HARTLEPOOL
TS24 7BT
Tel: (01429) 284024
Fax: (01429) 523308
Contact us
Email: customer.service@hartlepool.gov.uk
Telephone: 01429 266522
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