It's national Empty Homes Week, and Rotherham Council is highlighting the support available to property owners who have a long-term empty property or residents who are affected by empty properties.
National charity, Action on Empty Homes, reports that the number of long-term empty properties across England from 2021 to 2022 has increased by 4.75 per cent; 248,633 being the highest number of long-term empty properties recorded annually since 2012.
The number of empty properties in Rotherham remains below this national average, at less than 3 per cent. Nevertheless, the Council recognises that even a small number of empty properties can have a negative impact on neighbouring properties and wider communities.
Rotherham Council works with private homeowners to help them understand how to bring empty properties back into use and ensure they maintain their properties while they are vacant, so they do not pose a risk to the public. This could include advice about how to market property or accessing support through the Council’s probate researchers.
Within the last year, the Council’s Empty Homes Officer has dealt with 199 enquiries and brought 27 empty properties back into use.
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Amy Brookes, said: “We’re urging anyone who is struggling to bring a residential empty home back into to use to contact us, likewise if you know of an empty property and would like to see it become a home again. We have a dedicated team that want to work with owners to offer support, information, and advice. We know the reasons for properties remaining vacant can be complex and myriad.”
To find out more about how the Council can help you with your empty home, go online to www.rotherham.gov.uk/private-housing/empty-homes.