Major review for Exeter's empty homes

Homes across Exeter are to come under close scrutiny in a major review of supposedly empty properties across the city  to check that they are actually unoccupied.

The action is being taken because many people do not inform the Council when empty properties become occupied. This can lead to the local authorities missing out on council tax payments as well as New Homes Bonus payments that are paid out by the government on every home brought back into use.

Cllr Rob Hannaford, Lead Councillor for Housing, Community Involvement and Maintaining Assets said: "Houses that have been empty for more than two months have to pay full council tax. As a result we are not always told when the properties come back into use. Now there is even more reason to inform the Council when the property is occupied as owners will be charged an additional 50% Council Tax for keeping their property empty."

It is also financially advantageous to the Council if properties are in use as this affects the amount of New Homes Bonus it receives. The money is used to support the Local Infrastructure Fund which local community groups can bid to the Council for. Awards are handed out to fund things like improving facilities such as a meeting hall..

The review - which runs from July to October, is currently being carried out. Questionnaires have been sent to all known empty homes to ask why the property is empty or to request information on the new occupiers. Where no response to the questionnaire is received the properties will be visited.

The Council is also able to offer a wide range of advice and assistance to owners of empty properties such as a fully managed rental scheme and empty property loans to help return empty properties back into use.

For more information – or to report an empty home that is now in use - contact 01392 265685. For more information on Council Tax status and exemptions contact 01392 265635.