voids

The request was refused by Haringey Borough Council.

Dear Haringey Borough Council,

Please list addresses for all empty commercial and residential properties in Haringey

Yours faithfully,

Diane Taylor

Shah Varsha, Haringey Borough Council

Dear Ms Taylor

Regarding your request for a list of addresses of all empty residential and commercial properties in Haringey, we consider this information is exempt from release under section 31(1) (a)
Section 31(1) states that:
"Information . is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would or would be likely to prejudice
(a) the prevention or detection of crime."

We consider that if a list of the addresses of empty properties were to be disclosed, it is possible that these properties would become more vulnerable to potential squatters and associated crime resulting from this, such as fires, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour. Empty properties are also associated with criminal activity such as organised "stripping" of empty properties, whereby any items of value (such as pipes and floor boards, electric wiring, copper water tanks) are removed, leaving an empty and uninhabitable shell property.

As the exemption under section 31(1)(a) is a qualified exemption, it is subject to the public interest test whereby we need to consider both the arguments for and against the release of this information.

We can see there is some public interest in disclosure of this information. Releasing the information would assist the public debate concerning the number of empty or void properties within the borough of Haringey, and is in the general spirit of the FOI Act.

The argument against the release of the information is that there is an inherently strong
Public interest in avoiding crime. This information would make it possible for crimes to be committed, as entry would need to be forced to gain access to the property. Also, we consider that the residents that are in the properties in close proximity would also be under threat due to the fact that a crime is being committed so close to them and they have an expectation to feel secure in the environment that they live in.

If a property were to be stripped or otherwise vandalised as a result of squatting, for example, then that would cost additional council funds to rectify so that the property could be made ready for let. There may also be court costs associated with the eviction of squatters. These issues would have an adverse impact on the Council's funds.

This letter is a refusal notice as required by the Freedom of Information Act.

You will find a list of Council owned empty commercial properties on our website at the following page:
http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/busines...

If you have any further queries, or are unhappy with how we have dealt with your request and wish to make a complaint or request an Internal Review, please contact the Feedback and Information Team as below.

Feedback and Information Team
River Park House
225 High Road
N22 8HQ
Telephone: 020 8489 2550
Fax: 020 8489 3992
Email: [email address]

You may also complain to the Information Commissioner's office, who may be able to help you. However they would normally expect the local authority to have undertaken a complaint investigation or Internal Review of the request before they will accept the referral. You can contact the Commissioner at:
Postal address: Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone help line: 0845 6306060, or 01625 545745
Fax: 01625 545510
Website: www.ico.gov.uk

Regards

Varsha

Varsha Shah | Feedback Response Officer| Haringey Council | Feedback & Information Governance Team | 020 8489 2550

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