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
- You can e-mail us, telephone or write to us - our contact details are at the foot of this page.
- 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.
- The only information we need is:
- address of the empty property
- the name and contact details of the owner (if known).
Downloads
The following link(s) require a plug-in, and will open in a new browser window [
]. About downloading files.
Download the guidance notes for property owners on EDMOs [PDF, 1235 Kb]
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?
Grants
The Greater Norwich Housing Partnership is offering grants of up to £25,000 to renovate properties through the Empty Homes Grant and Leasing Scheme.
This sub-regional scheme will be available until April 2009 and is run by our sub-regional officer at Norwich City Council.
For more information visit the Norwich City Council website [external link] and search for 'Empty Homes Project Policy'.
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 your property needs work to bring the home up to a lettable standard the above grant and loans should be considered. 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). A joint scheme for EDMOs is being developed with Broadland and Norwich City by the Sub Regional Empty Homes Project Officer.
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.
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Housing Renewal Team |
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| 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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If you need information in large print, audio cassette, braille, translation (written or verbal) or signed interpretation, let us know when you contact us.
