Funds will help bring empty homes in Brighton and Hove back into use

The owners of empty homes are being offered a share of a £3 million pot to bring them back into use.

Brighton and Hove City Council and Lewes District Council have been given the money by the Homes and Communities Agency.

Councillor Bill Randall, chairman of the Housing Committee, said: “Demand massively outstrips supply for housing in Brighton and Hove.

“Homes standing around empty for long periods of time are unacceptable and that’s why our empty property team works hard with owners to bring more than 150 wasted homes back into use every year to house those in need.

“We understand that there can be complex and sensitive reasons for homes remaining empty and we will work with owners to overcome them.

“We will always consider using our enforcement powers to bring back into use any home that has been listed as empty for more than two years.

Councillor Bill Randall

“The extra money we have obtained for this work is limited so my message to property owners is bring your empty homes forward now and we will see how we can work together to put them to good use.

“I also appeal to residents to tell us about homes in their neighbourhoods that have been empty for some time. Help us fill the empties.”

The money will be targeted at homes that have been empty for longer than six months as private sector rents and homelessness rise.

Help is available for owners, potential buyers and private landlords. One developer, Steve Rooke, worked with Brighton and Hove’s empty property team and received funding to refurbish an older property that had been empty for some time.

He said: “The council then rent it back from me for a fixed term and at a fixed rent.

“It’s worked really well for me – so much so that I’m looking for other potential properties to buy and do the same thing.

“The rent is lower than on the open market but having the rent guaranteed and the management handled by the council adds to the value and makes it stack up.”

The council said: “Empty properties can attract vandalism, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour and the city council will consider enforcement action where a property is empty long term and/or causing concern to neighbours.