Long Term Empty Properties

The request was partially successful.

I am writing to you to request the following information:

1) Can the council confirm their current number of Long Term Empty Domestic Properties as of the 28th May (those properties which have been empty for six months or older)
2) What work is the council currently undertaking or planning to undertake around reducing their long term empty properties in 2019?
3) During 2018 did you undertake any work around reducing your Long Term Empty Properties. If you did was this done using internal resource or a third party?
4) If yes is the answer to question three, did the council review every single long term property
5) Does the reduction of empty homes in the council area form part of your Housing strategy?
6) Does the council have a budget in place to help support the reduction of empty properties?
7) How much did the council spend on temporary accommodation during 2018?
8) Does the council offer financial support /loans to Long Term Empty property owners to help them bring properties back into use?

Thank you very much,

Rhys

Freedom of Information, Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council

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Freedom of Information, Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council

[Classification: NULBC UNCLASSIFIED]

Dear Sir - FOI Reference number __7857

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Freedom of Information, Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council

[Classification: NULBC UNCLASSIFIED]

Good Afternoon

Please accept our apologies for the delayed reply

Please see the responses provided below containing the current available information - any omitted data can be forwarded as it becomes available

Sent: 28 May 2019 16:41
To: Freedom of Information
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Long Term Empty Properties

This email has been received from an address outside the Council, please be very cautious when opening any attachments or clicking on any links herein.

I am writing to you to request the following information:

1)Can the council confirm their current number of Long Term Empty Domestic Properties as of the 28th May (those properties which have been empty for six months or older)

2)What work is the council currently undertaking or planning to undertake around reducing their long term empty properties in 2019?
Lead officer working with, encouraging, educating and where appropriate enforcing against owners and empty homes grants.

3)During 2018 did you undertake any work around reducing your Long Term Empty Properties. If you did was this done using internal resource or a third party?
Yes - we have a lead officer for empty homes whose role it is to encourage them back into use.

4)If yes is the answer to question three, did the council review every single long term property We reviewed all the long term empties that have a housing service request against them.

5)Does the reduction of empty homes in the council area form part of your Housing strategy?
Yes, link to strategy - https://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/site...

6)Does the council have a budget in place to help support the reduction of empty properties?
There is a specific capital budget for empty homes grants for 2019/20. Officer activities are through general activities of the housing team.

7)How much did the council spend on temporary accommodation during 2018?
Temporary Accommodation - two bedroom houses (gross cost)= £14,716
Temporary Accommodation - Bed and Breakfast (gross cost) = £48,533.85

8)Does the council offer financial support /loans to Long Term Empty property owners to help them bring properties back into use?
Yes - match funded grants of up to £2000 are available.

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Kind Regards

Caroline Horne
FOI / EIR Coordinator
Newcastle - Under Lyme Borough Council
Tel 01782 742232

www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk

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