Legal News

Wigan Council says that derelict properties in the Wigan Borough have been given a makeover, providing homes for residents in need of affordable housing.

The council said that three homes left vandalised and empty after a resident inherited them from her late father had led to complaints from neighbours that they were an eyesore.

The owner was unable to raise the money to carry out the extensive renovation work needed – and applied for an interest-free loan from Wigan Council’s “Empty to Plenty” scheme, funded by the Homes and Communities Agency.

The owner decided to turn the block into six apartments, comprising three one-bedroom and three two-bedroom units.

The council’s “Empty to Plenty” scheme was launched in 2013 – and 44 properties have been transformed to date, with funding still available to complete another 13 homes by the end of March 2018.

The innovative scheme is helping to reduce the number of empty private sector homes in the borough, said the council.

Housing service manager at Wigan Council, Anees Mank, said:

“This scheme is a great way of helping local people and transforming communities.

“Bringing empty homes and buildings back into use provides both much needed affordable housing for families and individuals who really need them – and visible benefits to the local community.”

Wigan Council also uses other powers to address empty, private sector homes, which have been empty long term.

This includes a 150% charge of Council Tax for homes which have been empty for more than two years – and compulsory purchase orders for homes which are empty and causing a neighbourhood nuisance.

These homes are then sold at auction.

The council also has a successful record in keeping its council stock of 22,000 homes occupied.

Latest figures show there are just over 300 of these homes empty – just over 1% of the stock, which represents a normal figure for tenant turnover.

Wigan Council also aims to address renovations and repairs when a council-owned home is empty, so that it is ready for the next tenant.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising developers and self builders on planning permissions and planning appeals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our housing team is also able to advise on: