This National Empty Homes Week, Dartford Borough Council is reminding owners of empty properties of the support available to help them.
Lots of people in the borough are struggling to find a home and empty properties are not only a wasted resource but can also attract anti-social behaviour and become an unsightly blight on the local community. Temporary accommodation and new housebuilding alone cannot cope with the housing demand in Dartford so it’s important that all are homes are occupied.
Bringing one empty home back into use counts just as much towards housing targets as building a new one – and the Council has support available to improve these properties’ energy efficiency, such as the Warm Homes Local Grant Scheme, which offers wall and loft insulation, and the Solar Together programme, which offers solar panels.
Last year, we brought 90 back empty properties back into use, but there are still more than 400 that we can help restore.
How Dartford Borough Council can help:
• Give you a free property condition assessment with schedule of works;
• Informally discuss with the various options and the best way to proceed;
• Support you with matters relating to inheritance, probate or family disputes issues;
• Assist you to be a successful landlord;
• Support to secure financial assistance for the refurbishment of a property through interest free loans;
• Give advice on property auctioneers (a great option for empty properties as these attract developers, local builders and cash buyers);
• If your property has been empty over two-years, we can provide evidence so you can claim the reduced rate of 5% on renovation/conversion works.
We also run a competitive Private Leasing Scheme which could be a great solution to get the most out of your empty property. Benefits include:
• We guarantee rent payments every three months in advance
• Minor repairs and maintenance on the property using our Council approved contractor
• Tenants are monitored for their rent, Housing Benefit and Antisocial Behaviour issues without any involvement needed with yourself as the Landlord
• Properties are inspected regularly to ensure the upkeep of the property is met/check on tenant welfare.