NEW MEASURES TO TACKLE EMPTY HOMES

OWNERS of eyesore homes in Carmarthenshire could be forced to sell them to repay their council debts.

Housing chiefs are planning to introduce enforced sales in a bid to tackle the problem of empty properties.

The last resort move is aimed at recovering money owed to the County Council and improving communities which are blighted by derelict homes.

The approach is already used in other parts of the UK, including Manchester and Kent, and officers hope it will be just as successful in Carmarthenshire.

There are currently six empty houses in the county which have outstanding charges of around £50,000.

This includes unpaid council tax and money the authority is forced to spend to make the properties safe.

The debts can be difficult to recover through the Magistrates and County Courts because often the owners of empty properties cannot be found.

In these cases the council can use the Law of Property Act 1925 to enforce the sale of a property.

The council’s Head of Housing Services Robin Staines said: “Whilst positive work has been carried out, empty properties continue to be a challenge and further work is needed to tackle the problem.

“Empty properties are a potentially critical resource for people in housing need in the area.

“The use of enforced sale is a key component of any successful, enforcement approach to tackling problems associated with empty or derelict properties.

“The threat of the enforced sale procedure is often sufficient to encourage owners to pay out any outstanding debts or sell their property.

“It would be very much a last resort measure and each case will be considered on its merits.”

The plan will give four senior managers the authority to instigate the enforced sale procedure and will be debated by the Executive Board and full council shortly.

It means the authority could sell a property, and once all debts and costs are recovered, the remaining proceeds will be placed in an account until the owner makes a claim.

It comes as an action plan is underway to tackle the problem of empty homes in the county.

Around 2,000 homes are lying empty in the county at the same time as there is a shortage of affordable housing.

The council is taking action to solve the problem and bring properties back into use for families who are desperately in need of housing.

Housing Executive Board Member cllr Hugh Evans said: “Empty properties have an impact on local communities.

“They are often an eyesore and can cause public health related problems to neighbouring properties because they are in disrepair, attract vandalism and are venues for antisocial behaviour.

“This procedure will encourage property owners to act responsibly, with benefits for the residents of Carmarthenshire.”