Council helps bring empty homes back into use

Published by Ross Macmillan for Tamworth borough Council in Local Government and also in Housing

Tamworth Borough Council is helping homeowners with empty properties bring the houses back up to standard with Empty Home Assistance Grants.

The aim of the project is to bring empty homes back into use – and grants of up to £10,000 are now available from the borough council.

It is estimated there are around 250 empty properties in the borough which could be used to provide housing to people looking for accommodation. 

People who are successful in receiving a grant would then allow the borough council to rent out the property to people on its housing waiting list for the next three years. The homeowner would keep the rental income.

The project is aimed specifically at people who may have been left property as a legacy and can’t afford to maintain it, homeowners with no savings or people who have not been able to upkeep the home, either while ill or living elsewhere.

In addition to grant assistance, the borough council is working to identify empty properties and get in touch with homeowners to let them know help is available.

Councillor Mary Oates, Cabinet Member for Quality of Life, said: “We have a number of empty properties across the borough which could provide housing for people wishing to live inTamworth.

“We are keen to work with people who may not be able to maintain these properties or who are not aware what support is available.” Cllr Oates added: “Empty properties could attract anti-social behaviour, fly tipping, attract vandalism and make neighbouring properties unattractive to let or sell. This project will help avoid this, help homeowners and also provide much needed accommodation.”

During the past six months the Council has successfully brought ten empty homes back into use.