New council tactic to tackle growing 'blight' of empty properties on Nuneaton and Bedworth

[dutchman]

The Town Hall says they 'attract anti-social behaviour, fall into disrepair and are a wasted resource at a time when demand is high'



A new tactic is being brought into force to tackle a growing 'blight' on Nuneaton and Bedworth. The borough council has admitted there are a growing number of empty properties across the two towns.

Bringing them back into use is one of the priorities at the Town Hall as it battles an ever-growing demand for council housing as well as affordable housing. It has brought in a number of new policies to help tackle empty homes.

Earlier this year, an extra levy for those who own an empty home in the borough was approved. It is a 100 per cent council tax rise on properties empty for a period in excess of more than a year.

An additional levy of 200 per cent would apply for properties empty for more than five years from April 2026. Those with properties empty for more than ten years face paying an extra 300 per cent.

The council has also employed a dedicated empty properties officer and now it is asking the community to help. A new online reporting form has gone live where locals can notify the council about empty properties.

The form captures information about suspected empty properties, including location, condition, and length of vacancy. Council leader, Chris Watkins, who is cabinet member for housing, said: "Empty properties, particularly homes, can become a real blight on our communities, they can attract anti-social behaviour, fall into disrepair and are a wasted resource at a time when demand is high.

“By employing a dedicated Empty Property Officer and launching this online reporting tool, we’re empowering residents to help us take meaningful action.

“This is about improving our borough and making sure that properties are being used to their full potential."

As well as empty homes, the council is also looking to try and close a legal loophole around shops stood empty for years. The council says that it is lobbying government for a change in the law so it can force the owners to bring them back into use.

The Report an empty property form is now live online. The council says that it will help to gather information on empty properties that may not have been formally recorded, and pave the way for a 'more proactive and targeted approach, as well as earlier intervention'.