There are over six hundred and fifty thousand empty residential properties in England and over two hundred and thirty thousand of these have been out of use for more than 6 months.
The current [2021] estimate is that Burnley has approximately 1,832 empty properties. These vacant properties are vulnerable to break-ins by squatters, vandals, drug dealers and arsonists; they create a negative impact on the local environment.
The Council are concerned about vacant properties as they:
- Lower the value of neighbouring properties
- Cause damage to neighbouring properties
- Attract fly-tipping
- Cause an increase in costs for the council, in dealing with issues such as vandalism and rubbish dumping
- Generally become an eyesore
- Are a wasted resource; (If you are an owner of a vacant property; on average you may be losing £7,000 per year)
The Council has an Empty Property team to help deal with these issues and encourage the owners of empty properties to bring these much needed homes back in to occupation.
By bringing these empty properties back in to use we can:
- Reduce homelessness
- Improve the standard of housing
- Contribute to the regeneration of an area
- Reduce crime and anti-social behaviourin the immediate area
- Contribute to a balanced housing market and community sustainability
- Respond positively to public concern
