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York’s empty homes appeal
2:22pm Wednesday 23rd January 2008
Comments (22)MORE action should be taken to bring empty properties in York back into use, a city councillor has claimed.
Council records show there are more than 500 properties in York that have been empty for at least six months.
Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing says housing officers should use new laws that allow them to take control of disused dwellings, to help tackle York's housing shortage.
She has tabled a motion to this week's full meeting of City of York Council, urging the authority to use Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs), which were introduced under the Housing Act 2004.
Coun Simpson-Laing said there would be some cost in using the powers, but said: "York residents are also paying for these properties whilst they lay empty. Every time the police or fire brigade are called out as a result of vandalism we all pay."
She said: "These powers have been available for a long time now, but the council has decided not to use them. We must face the reality of the housing shortage and take whatever measures possible to reverse the trend which, at present, is getting worse. EDMOs would not be used in an inappropriate way. If properties are vacant because of a death then a reasonable length of time is left before action can be taken. A house on the market to be sold would not be subject to an EMDO. Action to place a property under an EDMO is only taken after those responsible for the property had been talked through their rights and responsibilities.
"The principle behind this is occupation of as many properties as possible, given the housing shortage. We would like to see the local housing authority use the powers as a last resort, and only after constructive dialogue with those responsible for the dwelling. This is a critically important point. People will be given every opportunity to act following officers' advice, advice that will give them ample time to take action."
EDMOs fall between voluntary action by private owners and compulsory purchase powers for local housing authorities.
The motion will be debated at tomorrow's council meeting.
Your Say YourYork Press
dragon1472, york says...
2:29pm Wed 23 Jan 08
Jason, says...
2:35pm Wed 23 Jan 08
(A), York says...
2:44pm Wed 23 Jan 08
Rust_Never_Sleeps, says...
2:54pm Wed 23 Jan 08
Well said Cllr. Simpson-Laing!
Diogenes, Here and there says...
3:13pm Wed 23 Jan 08
I am 100% in favour of it.
Why not start with the Guildhall. It is empty most of the time or filled with only hot air!
exp(a)t, Netherlands says...
3:28pm Wed 23 Jan 08
Should make it like here. If the owner is so careless as to forget they have a building empty for a year and not do anything with it you can squat it. The owner can't get you out unless they prove they are going to use the building properly.
---
When housing has become a luxury. Squatting is a right and basic need.
Miss Amelia Rate, YORK says...
3:37pm Wed 23 Jan 08
akuma, York says...
3:41pm Wed 23 Jan 08
dp a compulsory purchase order on such properties
DPa compulsory purchase order?
What sites have you been looking at??? LOL
Miss Amelia Rate, YORK says...
3:54pm Wed 23 Jan 08
ouserower, york says...
4:14pm Wed 23 Jan 08
slornie, Birmingham/York says...
4:30pm Wed 23 Jan 08
I think that the owner of any residential property that is occupied for less than 6 months of the year should have to pay double council tax, in order to make up for the loss to the local economy (no residents = no one using local shops/services). This includes holiday homes, second homes, and by-to-lets.
Nette, York says...
5:03pm Wed 23 Jan 08
Miss Amelia Rate wrote:
There is a lovely house on Heslington Lane which has to my knowledge been empty for 9 years. I don't see why the council can't dp a compulsory purchase order on such properties
I know the house well think its been empty a wee bit longer than 9 years.
Such a lot could be done with that house.
Also the old Alfreda Guest house has been empty for years now as they couldnt get planning permission for it. Its been on the house market for a year now and still no takers.
The council cant house people it has on thier housing lists, they tell 90% of them to rent privately if they can and its hard because renting privately can cost just the same as a mortgage. Some young people just cant afford to rent privately or afford a mortgage.
Gardener, York says...
5:14pm Wed 23 Jan 08
werdna, york says...
5:20pm Wed 23 Jan 08
How many people on here would be happy to have the council put a group of homeless people in the house next door? Not many I think!
Nette, York says...
5:30pm Wed 23 Jan 08
werdna wrote:
I have an empty 3 bed semi south of York. It's been empty last summer. If they want to compulsory purchase they need to give me the asking price, I'm more than happy to sell it to the council I'm not fussy who I sell it to. How many people on here would be happy to have the council put a group of homeless people in the house next door? Not many I think!
It depends on what the homeless people are like, not all of them are horrible people doing things they shouldnt be doing.
My friends son, and his partner have been on the council house waiting list for a couple of years, they both work and have a set of twins, they were told to rent privately if they could which they cant afford. Currently they are having to live with one set of parents.
meme, york says...
5:32pm Wed 23 Jan 08
and thats the issue with pepperpotting affordable units in a scheme
Gardener, York says...
5:33pm Wed 23 Jan 08
werdna wrote:I would - can't be any worse than the current neighbours, plus it would lower property values and let some first time buyers in on the market.
I have an empty 3 bed semi south of York. It's been empty last summer. If they want to compulsory purchase they need to give me the asking price, I'm more than happy to sell it to the council I'm not fussy who I sell it to. How many people on here would be happy to have the council put a group of homeless people in the house next door? Not many I think!
South A19 Crawler, Barlby says...
5:51pm Wed 23 Jan 08
MY04fwn, York says...
8:45pm Wed 23 Jan 08
Littlepoo, Washington, DC (ex pat) says...
12:53am Thu 24 Jan 08
werdna wrote:Has it occurred to you that the reason its been empty since the summer is because you asking too much for it? Reduce the price and I'm sure someone would buy it.
I have an empty 3 bed semi south of York. It's been empty last summer. If they want to compulsory purchase they need to give me the asking price, I'm more than happy to sell it to the council I'm not fussy who I sell it to. How many people on here would be happy to have the council put a group of homeless people in the house next door? Not many I think!
On Topic, says...
6:04am Thu 24 Jan 08
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Franky, York says...
2:23pm Wed 23 Jan 08