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Number of homes left empty “at all time low” (3 May 2016)

Date: 03/05/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Number of homes left empty “at all time low”

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis has announced that the number of empty homes across the country is now at its lowest level since records began.

New figures show that the number of empty homes equates to a drop of more than one-third – from 318,642 in 2004, to 203,596 in 2015.

Figures also show an increase in the number of owner-occupied homes in the last year, after seven years of decline in home ownership – starting in 2007, when the banking crisis sparked the credit crunch.

The government says the downward trend in ownership is continuing to level out, after a fall from a peak of 69.5% in 2002 to 62.5% in 2015 and 62.8% in 2014.

The number of new homes being built has risen by one-quarter in the last year – the highest annual percentage increase in net additional homes for 28 years.

Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said:

“We are turning around the housing market and making sure the best use is made of all housing, including empty homes.

“We are very clear that a house should be a home, which is why we have taken action to stop homes being bought up and left as an empty investment.

“And we’ve taking forward the boldest ambition for housing in a generation, doubling the budget so we can help a million more people into homeownership, while delivering a bigger and better private rental sector.”

Government initiatives to encourage house building and homeownership and prevent homes being left empty include rewarding councils for bringing empty homes back in to use through the New Homes Bonus – since April 2011, councils have been allocated more than £4.846 billion for providing new homes.

The government has also committed more than £20 billion over the next five years to help meet its aim to provide one million new homes.

Right to Buy has also been extended to 1.3 million people, with shared ownership properties being made available to more people – and 200,000 Starter Homes being provided at a minimum 20% discount for first-time buyers.

The government has also given councils the power to increase Council Tax on empty properties – and has introduced charges on certain ownership to prevent residential property being held through companies being left empty.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise landlords and public sector or private sector tenants on a wide range of housing matters – including right to rent checks, landlord’s obligations under the Housing Act, disrepair of rented accommodation, Landlord and Tenant disputes, tenancy agreements and unlawful eviction.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and our housing law solicitors can also advise on Local Authority housing and council’s obligation to re-house.

Duncan Lewis also offers competitively priced conveyancing services to homebuyers, including guiding first-time buyers through the conveyancing processs.

For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

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