Authorities given support on empty homes

Posted: 11 Mar 2009 12:14:37 GMT

Over 600,000 empty homes could soon be made available for those on council waiting lists, with local authorities on the receiving end of advice from the government on how to put such properties to best use.

The government announced that it would support local authorities in their attempts to turn empty properties into usable homes for those waiting for council housing.

Supporting the announcement was the Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors (Rics), which also advised that the government incentivise local authorities by allowing them to profit from the properties in any future resale.

Rics' policy project manager, James Rowlands gave further insight to the government's plans: "There are currently 1.6 million households on council waiting lists and bringing the 627,000 empty homes back into use could go some way to housing them.

"Encouraging local authorities to take action on empty homes will help address the problems they cause to communities and boost housing supply with housebuilding at such a low level."



© Houseladder Ltd