Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

The report provided Cabinet the opportunity to adopt an Empty Homes Strategy which would provide clarity to residents and ensure South Kesteven District Council had a clear framework of the aims, options, and enforcement powers to deal with the issue of empty homes within the District and bring empty homes back into use.

Decision

That Cabinet:

1.    Notes the content of the report, and the positive current position in relation to empty homes within South Kesteven.

2.    Approves the Empty Homes Strategy 2022 – 2025.

3. Delegates to the Director of Housing and Property authority to make minor amendments to the Empty Homes Strategy as needed by changes to regulation or legislation.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Reason for decision

On 23 February 2022, South Kesteven had 374 properties empty between six months and two years, and 142 empty for two years or more (a total of 516 empty properties for six or more months). This was due to various reasons but, most commonly, it was because the occupant had deceased, and the property was going through probate.

In comparing the figures with previous years, the total number of empty properties, which had been empty for 6 or more months, as at 31 March 2020 was 609, whereas, as at 31 March 2021, it was 567 properties. This showed an improved performance with a reduction of 51 empty properties.

In comparison to other Lincolnshire areas for 2020, apart from North Kesteven who had a rate of 0.84% of total dwellings as empty, South Kesteven had the lowest amount at 1.04% of total homes. The rate for South Kesteven in 2020 was below the East Midlands rate, which was 1.45% of total dwellings and similar to England rate of 1.05%.

Clarification was sought on the reasoning behind some Council properties being empty for more than 6 months.