Empty homes

Summary

Housing demand is outstripping supply - empty homes can be put to good use! If there is a property near you that has been empty for a long time, please let us know about it. We can investigate who owns it and what the owner plans to do about it, and in certain cases we can take enforcement action against the owner. Follow the instructions below to report an empty home to us.

How to report an empty home

Whether you know of an empty home, or you own an empty home and want help in bringing it back into use, contact us and we will provide further advice

  1. You can e-mail us, telephone or write to us - our contact details are at the foot of this page.
  2. If you wish to report the property online please complete the online enquiry form and it will be forwarded to our Housing Renewal team for response.
  3. The only information we need is:
    - address of the empty property
    - the name and contact details of the owner (if known).

Downloads

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PDF iconDownload the guidance notes for property owners on EDMOs [PDF, 1235 Kb] Link opens in a new browser window

Further information

Our Empty Homes Strategy forms part of our overall Housing Renewal Strategy. We also work closely with our sub-regional partners to support bringing empty homes back into use.

Do you own an Empty Home?

Loans

Our Decent Homes Loan can provide finance for landlords of properties that need to be brought up to the decent homes standard. The loan also provides for owners of properties that have been empty for more than 12 months and who intend to occupy the property after works are complete.

Help with lettings

If you are seeking a tenant we may be able provide someone from our housing register, and help the tenant through our rent advance and deposit scheme (RADS).

Enforcement

New powers, known as Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) were introduced in England from April 2006.For more details download the guidance notes (under 'Downloads' above).

Related pages on this website

External links

Department of Communities & Local Government: empty homes
Government policy, guidance and frequently asked questions about empty homes from the Department of Communities & Local Government (DCLG).

Empty Homes Agency
The national organisation promoting work to bring empty homes back into use.


About links to other websites.

Contact us

contact officer/team: Housing Standards Team
web: online enquiry form
email: hrenewal@s-norfolk.gov.uk
telephone: 01508 533705
minicom/textphone: 01508 533622
address: South Norfolk Council
South Norfolk House
Swan Lane
Long Stratton
Norwich NR15 2XE

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Last updated on: 09 September 2009