• Housing
• Land and premises
• Empty residential properties

Information and Advice

Once the owner of an empty home has been identified, we will aim is to encourage them to bring the property back into use voluntarily. Central Bedfordshire Council has developed a range of tools that can be used to assist those wishing to bring their properties back into use. The Empty Homes Officer will offer assistance such as advice and information on the range of options available to the owner of an Empty Home. Once the initial support has been provided the Empty Homes Officer will remain in touch with the owner and ensure that the property is successfully brought back into use.

Inspections

All empty homes targeted for action will be inspected externally to establish what condition they are in and whether they cause a nuisance to adjoining properties and neighbours. Further action will be considered based upon the outcome of the inspection. Internal inspections will be carried out with the agreement of the owner.

Grants

The owner of an empty home may be eligible for financial assistance to enable them to bring the property back into use. The property must have been empty for a minimum of six months and feature on our Empty Homes List.

Grant aid is available for works that include:

• Central heating system repairs/replacements/upgrades
• Dampness
• Drainage defects
• Rewiring
• General disrepair
• Providing missing bathroom and kitchen facilities
• Works to remedy serious defects causing Category 1 Hazards under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
• Where one or more of the above applies, then grants may be available in certain circumstances for modernising old bathroom or kitchen facilities.   

Enforcement

Where the owners of empty properties decline all offers of help and advice on how to bring their property back into effective use we will consider the use of enforcement powers to remedy the situation. It should be noted that the use of enforcement powers alone may not result in the re-occupation of the property, but may help to address any immediate risks posed by the property.

Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs)

EDMOs comprise of a two-stage approach, Interim and Final Management Orders. Interim Management Order will last up to 12 months and will give Local Authorities most of the management powers previously held by the owner, then the Local Authority can revoke the Interim Management Order and serve a Final Management Order. This can last up to seven years and gives the Local Authority (in partnership with a Housing Association) the power to let out the property and receive rent without the owners consent.

During this time the Local Authority can carry out repairs and renovation works necessary on the property and recover their costs from the rental income. If the Local Authority recovers all of its costs and there is any excess rent, this must be paid to the owner of the property.

Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO)

The Council also has the power to acquire buildings and land through Compulsory Purchase with the aim of providing additional accommodation. The Council is committed to the use of its Compulsory Purchase powers as the last resort only. However, in order to use them there must be strong evidence concerning the circumstances of an unoccupied house, including its condition and effect on neighbouring properties and the local area, the length of time it has been empty and the reluctance of the owner to take any steps to bring the property back into use.