Surge in property alert service highlights fraud concerns
2 years ago | 6 comments
Council crackdown on derelict homes includes targeting landlords
12:03 AM, 10th September 2024, 2 years ago
5
Landlords are at the forefront of one council’s bid to ramp up pressure on the owners of more than 2,000 empty and derelict homes in the town, the Northern Echo reveals.
The council will use more enforcement powers to target the worst offenders – along with ‘nudging’ landlords to improve their properties.
Plus, the council has and will continue to force sales in some cases.
Middlesbrough council is aiming to recover £5.5 million in unpaid council tax while collaborating with housing associations to purchase and refurbish other vacant properties.
Problem of empty homes has worsened
According to regeneration director Richard Horniman, the problem of empty homes has worsened in recent years, with some properties becoming dangerous, insecure and plagued by anti-social behaviour.
He told a council meeting that there are 2,231 empty properties in Middlesbrough, with 1,233 of those vacant for more than six months.
These properties have an outstanding council tax bill of £5.5 million.
Mr Horniman explained that collecting this council tax debt has proven challenging due to absent landlords and various tactics used to avoid payment.
Reminding landlords of their responsibilities
To address this issue, the council has launched a ‘combined push’ to tackle empty properties, which includes reminding landlords of their responsibilities, pursuing compulsory purchases and taking legal action.
The council is also using environmental health issues to force the sale of some properties.
By focusing on the worst offenders, the council hopes to make a significant impact on the problem of empty and derelict homes in Middlesbrough and returning them to use.
Tags:
council tax, derelict homes, empty properties, Housing, Landlords, Middlesbrough, regeneration
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
or
Related Articles
Derelict land is the key to London’s housing crisis
2 years ago | 4 comments
Council tax on empty homes to double to help tackle housing shortage
2 years ago | 9 comments
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3504 - Articles: 5
1:04 PM, 10th September 2024, About 2 years ago
and the unused council offices and buildings? The empty Council properties left empty as deemed ‘uneconomic’ to make good and let at social rent levels?
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 763
1:21 PM, 10th September 2024, About 2 years ago
My council has just written to tell me my empty rental property is a second home and they’ll be charging 200% council tax next year
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3504 - Articles: 5
2:28 PM, 10th September 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by JB at 10/09/2024 – 13:21
let to a ‘ghost’ tenant at £250 a year fixed rent. This falls below the legal requirement where an AST is required and so you can continue to pay the CT as it is (with a single person discount applied). The property is then ‘occupied’ and the 200% rate cannot be applied.
look up tenancy types….
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting-tenancy-agreements/tenancy-types
Member Since November 2022 - Comments: 33
2:47 PM, 10th September 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 10/09/2024 – 14:28
That sounds fraudulent
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 24
4:09 PM, 10th September 2024, About 2 years ago
All because of the complete failure of consecutive governments not controlling legal and illegal immigration.
Blame anything or anyone except the true root cause.