Published date: 7 March 2025
Wychavon is asking residents to report any empty homes in their area. Currently, nearly 2,500 homes are unoccupied, which means one in every 26 homes* is not in use. In support of National Empty Homes Week, Wychavon is encouraging residents to help identify neglected houses to maximise housing availability in the district.
Residents living near empty, poorly maintained properties can face issues such as vermin, fly-tipping, burglary, drug use, and anti-social behaviour. Moreover, neglected homes can harm and devalue neighbouring properties. Wychavon can provide free advice and guidance to owners of empty properties, and the local authority encourages them to consider options such as renting or selling.
Cllr Rick Deller, the Executive Board Member for Housing, Regulatory and Customer Services, said, “Across the country, the lack of affordable housing has put significant pressure on local authorities, and Wychavon is no exception.” He added, “The council's housing team works extremely hard to help those in need, but demand consistently outweighs supply.”
Wychavon recently contacted the owner of an empty property that had been deserted for fourteen years. The owner had a strong emotional attachment to the house, making it difficult to let go. However, the property's condition affected neighbouring homes by causing damp issues. Wychavon initiated discussions that ultimately led to the successful sale and renovation of the property, preparing it for future tenants.
Notes to Editor:
Report empty homes: https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/housing/empty-homes
Empty homes include long-term empty, exempted empty, not yet ‘long-term’ empty, second homes and holiday lets. https://www.actiononemptyhomes.org/facts-and-figures