Empty properties list

The request was successful.

Hannah Waldram

Dear Cardiff Council,

I am writing under the freedom of information act 2000 concerning the number of empty properties in Cardiff.

I would request this information is delivered electronically in the form of a spreadsheet - as a list of the addresses of all the empty properties.

If you cannot provide all lines of the address, the ward area and postcode and type of property will suffice.

If you are unable to provide this information please advise me as to how to refine my request to make the information easier to find.

If you are only able to partially disclose the information please do so - and if some of the information is already readily available please direct me as to where to find it.

Yours faithfully,

Hannah Waldram

FOI, Cardiff Council

Dear Ms Waldram

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request

Details have been forwarded to the Freedom of Information Officer within
the relevant department who will be dealing with your request and will
contact you in due course.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Rory Williams

on behalf of

C2C Records Officer
Connect to Cardiff
Cardiff County Council
County Hall
Atlantic Wharf
Cardiff
CF10 4UW

email [Cardiff Council request email]

-----Original Message-----
From: Hannah Waldram [mailto:[FOI #35955 email]]
Sent: 25 May 2010 11:29
To: FOI
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Empty properties list

Dear Cardiff Council,

I am writing under the freedom of information act 2000 concerning
the number of empty properties in Cardiff.

I would request this information is delivered electronically in the
form of a spreadsheet - as a list of the addresses of all the empty
properties.

If you cannot provide all lines of the address, the ward area and
postcode and type of property will suffice.

If you are unable to provide this information please advise me as
to how to refine my request to make the information easier to find.

If you are only able to partially disclose the information please
do so - and if some of the information is already readily available
please direct me as to where to find it.

Yours faithfully,

Hannah Waldram

-------------------------------------------------------------------
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http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/about...

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #35955 email]

Is [Cardiff Council request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Cardiff Council? If so please contact us using this
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If you find WhatDoTheyKnow useful as an FOI officer, please ask
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**********************************************************************
Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not copy or deliver this message to anyone. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise immediately if you or your employer does not consent to Internet email for messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of the Council of the City and County of Cardiff shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. All e-mail sent to or from this address will be processed by Cardiff County Councils Corporate E-mail system and may be subject to scrutiny by someone other than the addressee.
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Mae'n bosibl bod gwybodaeth gyfrinachol yn y neges hon. Os na chyfeirir y neges atoch chi'n benodol (neu os nad ydych chi'n gyfrifol am drosglwyddo'r neges i'r person a enwir), yna ni chewch gopio na throsglwyddo'r neges. Mewn achos o'r fath, dylech ddinistrio'r neges a hysbysu'r anfonwr drwy e-bost ar unwaith. Rhowch wybod i'r anfonydd ar unwaith os nad ydych chi neu eich cyflogydd yn caniatau e-bost y Rhyngrwyd am negeseuon fel hon. Rhaid deall nad yw'r safbwyntiau, y casgliadau a'r wybodaeth arall yn y neges hon nad ydynt yn cyfeirio at fusnes swyddogol Cyngor Dinas a Sir Caerdydd yn cynrychioli barn y Cyngor Sir nad yn cael sel ei fendith. Caiff unrhyw negeseuon a anfonir at, neu o'r cyfeiriad e-bost hwn eu prosesu gan system E-bost Gorfforaethol Cyngor Sir Caerdydd a gallant gael eu harchwilio gan rywun heblaw'r person a enwir.
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HANR Freedom of Information, Cardiff Council

Ref:

Dear Hannah Waldram

Thank you for your request for information regarding empty properties
received on 25.5.10

Unfortunately we cannot sufficiently identify the information you have
requested from the details you have provided. Section 1(3) of the Freedom
of Information Act says that we are not obliged to respond to your request
until it is clear what you require.  To help us respond could you clarify
what you mean by empty properties, are they council commercial, council
residential or privately owned?

Please note that if we do not receive appropriate clarification of your
information requirements within three months from the date of this letter,
then we will consider your request closed.

Once we receive this we will consider your request and you will receive
the information requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working
days, unless the information is exempt or we require additional time to
consider whether disclosure is in the public interest in accordance with
section 2 of the Freedom of Information Act.

The Act defines a number of exemptions which may prevent release of the
information you have requested. Before we provide the information we will
consider whether it is proper to release it and if any of the exemption
categories do apply then the information will not be released.  We will
tell you if this is the case, and you will have a right of appeal.

If the information you request contains reference to a third party then
they may be consulted prior to a decision being taken on whether or not to
release the information to you. We will tell you if this is the case.

You may have to pay a fee for this information.  We will consider this
and let you know. If so you will have to pay the fee before we process and
release the information.  The 20 working day time limit for responses
will not start until we receive your payment.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

You can find out more about the Freedom of Information Act from the
Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office (Wales)         
Cambrian Buildings
Mount Stuart Square            
Cardiff
CF10 5FL
 
[1]http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.u...
 
Telephone: 029 2044 8044
 
Fax: 029 2044 8045
Email: [2][email address]
Yours Sincerely

Cheryl Quick
Resource Supervisor /
Performance and Resource / Perfformiad ac Adnodd
Housing & Neighbourhood Renewal / Tai ac Adnewyddu Cymdogaethau
Tel./Ffôn 02920 537396 (37396)

-----Original Message-----
From: Hannah Waldram [[3]mailto:[FOI #35955 email]]
Sent: 25 May 2010 11:29
To: FOI
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Empty properties list

Dear Cardiff Council,

I am writing under the freedom of information act 2000 concerning
the number of empty properties in Cardiff.

I would request this information is delivered electronically in the
form of a spreadsheet - as a list of the addresses of all the empty
properties.

If you cannot provide all lines of the address, the ward area and
postcode and type of property will suffice.

If you are unable to provide this information please advise me as
to how to refine my request to make the information easier to find.

If you are only able to partially disclose the information please
do so - and if some of the information is already readily available
please direct me as to where to find it.

Yours faithfully,

Hannah Waldram

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[4]http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/about...

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #35955 email]

Is [Cardiff Council request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Cardiff Council? If so please contact us using this
form:
[5]http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/contact

If you find WhatDoTheyKnow useful as an FOI officer, please ask
your web manager to suggest us on your organisation's FOI page.

**********************************************************************

Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If
you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for
delivery of the message to such person), you may not copy or deliver this
message to anyone. In such case, you should destroy this message and
kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise immediately if you
or your employer does not consent to Internet email for messages of this
kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do
not relate to the official business of the Council of the City and County
of Cardiff shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. All
e-mail sent to or from this address will be processed by Cardiff County
Councils Corporate E-mail system and may be subject to scrutiny by someone
other than the addressee.

**********************************************************************

Mae'n bosibl bod gwybodaeth gyfrinachol yn y neges hon. Os na chyfeirir y
neges atoch chi'n benodol (neu os nad ydych chi'n gyfrifol am
drosglwyddo'r neges i'r person a enwir), yna ni chewch gopio na
throsglwyddo'r neges. Mewn achos o'r fath, dylech ddinistrio'r neges a
hysbysu'r anfonwr drwy e-bost ar unwaith. Rhowch wybod i'r anfonydd ar
unwaith os nad ydych chi neu eich cyflogydd yn caniatau e-bost y Rhyngrwyd
am negeseuon fel hon. Rhaid deall nad yw'r safbwyntiau, y casgliadau a'r
wybodaeth arall yn y neges hon nad ydynt yn cyfeirio at fusnes swyddogol
Cyngor Dinas a Sir Caerdydd yn cynrychioli barn y Cyngor Sir nad yn cael
sel ei fendith. Caiff unrhyw negeseuon a anfonir at, neu o'r cyfeiriad
e-bost hwn eu prosesu gan system E-bost Gorfforaethol Cyngor Sir Caerdydd
a gallant gael eu harchwilio gan rywun heblaw'r person a enwir.

**********************************************************************

--
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References

Visible links
1. http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.u...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[FOI #35955 email]
4. http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/about...
5. http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/contact

hide quoted sections

Hannah Waldram

Dear HANR Freedom of Information,

Thank you for your response to my freedom of information request.

I would like the data for empty properties which are council commercial, council residential and privately owned - and if you could divide the empty properties into these groups that would be greatly appreciated.

I'd also like to reiterate I would prefer this information to be delivered as an electronic spreadsheet - with the postcode of each property included.

Please do reply to this message if you would like me to further define my request.

Yours sincerely,

Hannah Waldram

HANR Freedom of Information, Cardiff Council

1 Attachment

Dear Hannah Waldram

Please see attached letter of receipt of your request.

Regards

Cheryl Quick
Resource Supervisor /
Performance and Resource / Perfformiad ac Adnodd
Housing & Neighbourhood Renewal / Tai ac Adnewyddu Cymdogaethau
Tel./Ffôn 02920 537396 (37396)

-----Original Message-----
From: Hannah Waldram [mailto:[FOI #35955 email]]
Sent: 26 May 2010 17:38
To: HANR Freedom of Information
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request

Dear HANR Freedom of Information,

Thank you for your response to my freedom of information request.

I would like the data for empty properties which are council
commercial, council residential and privately owned - and if you
could divide the empty properties into these groups that would be
greatly appreciated.

I'd also like to reiterate I would prefer this information to be
delivered as an electronic spreadsheet - with the postcode of each
property included.

Please do reply to this message if you would like me to further
define my request.

Yours sincerely,

Hannah Waldram

-----Original Message-----

Ref:

Dear Hannah Waldram

Thank you for your request for information regarding empty
properties
received on 25.5.10

Unfortunately we cannot sufficiently identify the information you
have
requested from the details you have provided. Section 1(3) of the
Freedom
of Information Act says that we are not obliged to respond to your
request
until it is clear what you require.  To help us respond could you
clarify
what you mean by empty properties, are they council commercial,
council
residential or privately owned?

Please note that if we do not receive appropriate clarification of
your
information requirements within three months from the date of this
letter,
then we will consider your request closed.

Once we receive this we will consider your request and you will
receive
the information requested within the statutory timescale of 20
working
days, unless the information is exempt or we require additional
time to
consider whether disclosure is in the public interest in
accordance with
section 2 of the Freedom of Information Act.

The Act defines a number of exemptions which may prevent release
of the
information you have requested. Before we provide the information
we will
consider whether it is proper to release it and if any of the
exemption
categories do apply then the information will not be released.  We
will
tell you if this is the case, and you will have a right of appeal.

If the information you request contains reference to a third party
then
they may be consulted prior to a decision being taken on whether
or not to
release the information to you. We will tell you if this is the
case.

You may have to pay a fee for this information.  We will consider
this
and let you know. If so you will have to pay the fee before we
process and
release the information.  The 20 working day time limit for
responses
will not start until we receive your payment.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to
contact me.
 Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

You can find out more about the Freedom of Information Act from
the
Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office (Wales)         
Cambrian Buildings
Mount Stuart Square            
Cardiff
CF10 5FL
 
[1]http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.u...
 
Telephone: 029 2044 8044
 
Fax: 029 2044 8045
Email: [2][email address]
Yours Sincerely

Cheryl Quick
Resource Supervisor /
Performance and Resource / Perfformiad ac Adnodd
Housing & Neighbourhood Renewal / Tai ac Adnewyddu Cymdogaethau
Tel./Ffôn 02920 537396 (37396)

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/about...

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #35955 email]

If you find WhatDoTheyKnow useful as an FOI officer, please ask
your web manager to suggest us on your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

**********************************************************************
Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not copy or deliver this message to anyone. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise immediately if you or your employer does not consent to Internet email for messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of the Council of the City and County of Cardiff shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. All e-mail sent to or from this address will be processed by Cardiff County Councils Corporate E-mail system and may be subject to scrutiny by someone other than the addressee.
**********************************************************************
Mae'n bosibl bod gwybodaeth gyfrinachol yn y neges hon. Os na chyfeirir y neges atoch chi'n benodol (neu os nad ydych chi'n gyfrifol am drosglwyddo'r neges i'r person a enwir), yna ni chewch gopio na throsglwyddo'r neges. Mewn achos o'r fath, dylech ddinistrio'r neges a hysbysu'r anfonwr drwy e-bost ar unwaith. Rhowch wybod i'r anfonydd ar unwaith os nad ydych chi neu eich cyflogydd yn caniatau e-bost y Rhyngrwyd am negeseuon fel hon. Rhaid deall nad yw'r safbwyntiau, y casgliadau a'r wybodaeth arall yn y neges hon nad ydynt yn cyfeirio at fusnes swyddogol Cyngor Dinas a Sir Caerdydd yn cynrychioli barn y Cyngor Sir nad yn cael sel ei fendith. Caiff unrhyw negeseuon a anfonir at, neu o'r cyfeiriad e-bost hwn eu prosesu gan system E-bost Gorfforaethol Cyngor Sir Caerdydd a gallant gael eu harchwilio gan rywun heblaw'r person a enwir.
**********************************************************************

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Matt Townsend left an annotation ()

It will be interesting to see if this can help clarify the number of empty homes in Cardiff.

There is a PDF here:
http://www.caerdydd.gov.uk/objview.asp?O...
Which states:
"At any one time there are around 1450 homes sitting empty in Cardiff"

But also a chart in the same PDF showing empty homes by ward. If you add this up there are 3010 (if my maths is correct)

And according to this document:
http://www.sheltercymru.org.uk/shelter/u...
The number of long term empty homes in Cardiff is 2289.
All are dated 2009 so I'm not sure what figures are correct

It will also be really interesting to see if the response to your questions enables us to see the break down of why these properties are empty as we are very interested in this.

Matt (Green Party Cardiff)

Jeffreys, Barry, Cardiff Council

2 Attachments

Your Ref: RFI 1251
Dear Hannah,
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST

* I would like the data for empty properties which are council
commercial, council residential and privately owned - and if you could
divide the empty properties into these groups that would be greatly
appreciated.
* I'd also like to reiterate I would prefer this information to be
delivered as an electronic spreadsheet - with the postcode of each
property included.

<<Admin - Email Attachment.xls>> <<Admin - Email Attachment 1.xls>>
Under the Freedom of Information Act a Public Authority can refuse to
disclose information if any valid exemption(s) under "the act" apply to
the information being requested. These exemptions are classified into two
categories "Absolute and Conditional". If a conditional exemption is used
the "Public Interest Test" must be satisfied and if/what prejudice would
be caused on the release of the information (as explained below). An
Absolute exemption has no such test.

The information you have requested relating to privately owned properties
is exempt from full disclosure under:

* Section 31 (1) (a) Law Enforcement (Conditional)

Section 31 (1) (a), Law Enforcement: Information is exempt information if
its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice-

(1) (a) the prevention or detection of crime.
Section 31 is a conditional exemption which is subject to the Prejudice
Test and the Public Interest Test under the FOIA. All factors must be
taken into account prior to a decision being made on disclosure or
non-disclosure.

The exemption applies because the release of the full information could in
our view enable criminal acts to be instigated against the private empty
properties requested. We can release the full information relating to
commercial and council owned properties as the level of security
protection would be higher and least likely to such criminal acts, our
response also adheres to the current Information Commissioner guidance on
the issue.

We must also consider if the public interest in withholding the
information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it.

The reasons why the public interest favours withholding the information
are

* to prevent the likelyhood of criminal damage/theft to private
properties.

In reaching the decision we identified there are no factors why disclosure
might be in the public interest, if you have any representation why you
think the pubic interest is with disclosure of the information can you
please put forward your representations.

In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 this
letter acts in part as a Refusal Notice.
Although we cannot meet your request this time, if you have any further
information needs in the future then please do not hesitate to contact me.

You have the right to appeal against our decision. If you wish to appeal
please set out in writing your grounds of appeal and send to The
Information Manager, Cardiff Council, Room 112 County Hall, CARDIFF, CF10
4UW.

You also have the right, under section 50 of the Freedom of Information
Act to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision whether, in
any specified respect, your request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of Part I of the Act. The Commissioner
will however normally require you to pursue an internal appeal to the
Council before considering such an application.

You can find out more about the Act from the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner's Office (Wales)
Cambrian Buildings
Mount Stuart Square
Cardiff
CF10 5FL

[1]http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.u...
Telephone: 029 2044 8044
Fax: 029 2044 8045
Email: [2][email address]
Yours Sincerely
Barry Jeffreys
Information Compliance Manager
Swyddog Rheoli Gwybodaeth
Cardiff Council
Room 111
County Hall
02920-873307

**********************************************************************

Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If
you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for
delivery of the message to such person), you may not copy or deliver this
message to anyone. In such case, you should destroy this message and
kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise immediately if you
or your employer does not consent to Internet email for messages of this
kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do
not relate to the official business of the Council of the City and County
of Cardiff shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. All
e-mail sent to or from this address will be processed by Cardiff County
Councils Corporate E-mail system and may be subject to scrutiny by someone
other than the addressee.

**********************************************************************

Mae'n bosibl bod gwybodaeth gyfrinachol yn y neges hon. Os na chyfeirir y
neges atoch chi'n benodol (neu os nad ydych chi'n gyfrifol am
drosglwyddo'r neges i'r person a enwir), yna ni chewch gopio na
throsglwyddo'r neges. Mewn achos o'r fath, dylech ddinistrio'r neges a
hysbysu'r anfonwr drwy e-bost ar unwaith. Rhowch wybod i'r anfonydd ar
unwaith os nad ydych chi neu eich cyflogydd yn caniatau e-bost y Rhyngrwyd
am negeseuon fel hon. Rhaid deall nad yw'r safbwyntiau, y casgliadau a'r
wybodaeth arall yn y neges hon nad ydynt yn cyfeirio at fusnes swyddogol
Cyngor Dinas a Sir Caerdydd yn cynrychioli barn y Cyngor Sir nad yn cael
sel ei fendith. Caiff unrhyw negeseuon a anfonir at, neu o'r cyfeiriad
e-bost hwn eu prosesu gan system E-bost Gorfforaethol Cyngor Sir Caerdydd
a gallant gael eu harchwilio gan rywun heblaw'r person a enwir.

**********************************************************************

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References

Visible links
1. http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.u...
2. mailto:[email address]

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Hannah Waldram

Dear Jeffreys, Barry,

Thank you for your response which has fulfilled my request.

Yours sincerely,

Hannah Waldram

gloria dawson left an annotation ()

Hi Hannah,

In light of the Camden ruling on 6th Sept, where a judge ruled against Camden Council disclosing info on empty properties on grounds of exemption 31 (1) as above, you might try again?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lon...

Hannah Waldram left an annotation ()

Hi Gloria,

At the moment I've got no reason to resubmit this FOI request but thanks for your suggestion. Something you might think of doing?

Hannah

Paul left an annotation ()

This may help...

http://www.theguardian.com/cardiff/2010/...

7,000 empty homes in Cardiff, but they don't want you to know!!