THE NUMBER of long-term empty homes in Warwick district has increased.
Last year there were more than 500 empty homes left empty for six months or more, but that figure has risen to 640.
But the actual figure could be much higher, as a home which is exempt from council tax – due to being uninhabitable or left empty by a deceased person – is not recognised in the figures.
Warwick District Council say they are working to bring long term empty homes back into use due to the ever-growing need for housing.
Empty homes cause problems as they attract anti-social behaviour and can quickly fall into disrepair.
And with the area set to get 17,139 new homes over the coming years, the council hope they can encourage owners to put their properties on the market.
A council spokeswoman told the Observer: “Warwick District Council’s private sector housing team visit empty properties to check their state of repair and in response to any neighbourhood complaints.
“We also regularly contact owners of long-term empty properties to discuss the options for bringing them back into use.”
A home can be left empty for many reasons, but most commonly it is due to lack of funds for repairs, selling at an unrealistic price and slow refurbishments.
Email [email protected] to report an empty property.
* PLANS have been submitted to build affordable homes and retirement bungalows in Harbury.
Applicant Messrs Homes have applied to Stratford District Council to build five homes, seven retirement bungalows and a play area at Bull Ring Farm, just off Bull Ring Farm Road.
For the last 20 years the land has been used for grazing horses, but the developers hope to create a number of one, two and three bedroom properties on the site.
They say the homes would be available for use by local residents who wish to stay in the village and for older people hoping to downsize.
