There are around 950 long term empty homes in the Warwick District area. The Private Sector Housing team work with owners to bring these homes back into use. We recognise that empty homes are an important resource which can be used to meet the local housing need. The Private Sector Housing Team contacts owners to complete a survey of long term empty homes in our district, annually, to provide information on the reasons why homes are empty and to advise them that the Council monitors progress towards re-use. The council can offer advice and support to empty property owners on renovation work, planning and building regulations, property standards, claiming reduced levels of VAT for renovations, selling, letting and leasing. 

Please note that due to data protection regulations we are unable to provide lists of empty homes to the public.

Why bring empty homes back into use?

  • Long term empty properties will face premium rate council tax charges of up to 400%;
  • Empty homes can quickly fall into disrepair;
  • Empty homes attract crime and anti-social behaviour;
  • They can prove expensive for owners to insure and maintain;
  • The owners will also miss out on potential rental income or capital from selling.

Report an empty property causing nuisance

If there is a property which is causing a nuisance to neighbouring properties you can report this to Private Sector Housing. Nuisance would usually involve damage being caused to your property due to disrepair in the empty property. We will ask for evidence of the nuisance caused to your property to help inform our investigation. Private Sector Housing have limited powers around nuisance and aren't usually able to intervene with overgrown gardens, trees or hedges which are classed as a private nuisance between 2 or more parties. In this scenario we would reccommend mediation services or seeking legal advice.

The Planning Enforcement Team also have powers around enforcement of properties which are in a very poor state and causing an eyesore. There is a high threshold for enforcement action.

Report a long term empty property causing a nuisance or damage to your property:

Report a long term property which is causing a detriment to the amenity:

  • planning.enforcement@warwickdc.gov.uk 

Selling

Any property will be attractive to a purchaser at the right price and selling is a good option where property owners lack the funding or the time to oversee renovations and may not wish to become a landlord. An alternative to using an estate agent is to sell at auction. Propertyauctionaction.co.uk provide a comprehensive list of property auctions. This is useful to achieve a quick sale and may appeal in particular where properties require substantial investment.

Letting

Warwick district has a strong rental market and properties can bring landlords a good income. There are many local letting agents who can let or fully manage your property for you. Caution is required in selecting a letting agent as they can vary in their professionalism. If you intend to let a property, you must ensure it meets the legal requirements before you take on tenants. The Private Sector Housing Team can give invaluable advice and may be able to offer advisory property visits to ensure the property is ready to let.

Enforcement

The Council always seeks to work with owners to get homes back into use voluntarily and in line with our Enforcement Policy. Sometimes, owners are not responsive, or have unrealistic expectations and timescales for action. Where conditions cause a serious nuisance to neighbouring properties enforcement action may be taken. There are a range of legal powers that can be used including:

  • Securing buildings which are unoccupied and which are not effectively secured against unauthorised entry (used for domestic AND non domestic property) (Section 29 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976)
  • Remedying Category 1 hazards (Section 11 Housing Act 2004)
  • Clearing overgrown gardens with proven current pest issues (Section 4 Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949)
  • Clearing accumulations of putrescible waste (Section 80 Environmental Protection Act 1990)
  • Empty Dwelling Management Orders (Part 4 Housing Act 2004)
  • Enforced Sale (Law of Property Act 1925)
  • Compulsory Purchase Order (Section 17 Housing Act 1985)
  • Unsightly land and buildings (Section 215 Town & Country Planning Act 1990

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