Cheshire West and Chester Council supports National Empty Homes Week

Cheshire West and Chester Council is supporting National Empty Homes Week (4-10 March), a campaign to make sure more empty homes are brought back into use more quickly.

This year’s theme is ‘Powers to Action’, which demonstrates what councils can do with their powers to bring empty homes back into use.

The Council is encouraging the owners of empty properties to bring them back into use to help meet housing demand. In 2022, Cabinet approved a five-year Empty Homes Strategy which sets out a strategy to bring 1,000 long-term empty homes back into use by 2027.

From April 2024, there will be a new Empty Property Premium for owners who have a property that has been empty for more than 12 months. This means that people owning a home that’s been empty for a year or more will pay a higher rate of Council Tax. The Council hopes this additional payment will prompt owners to think again about how they can bring their empty home back into use. This previously applied if the property was empty for more than 24 months. It aims to increase the number of available houses and affordable housing in the Borough for people in need of a home to live and enhance the sustainability of local communities.

There are currently 204 homeless households living in temporary accommodation, they are in desperate need of a home and an empty property could provide this.

Properties can be empty for a number of reasons, and the Council wants to work with owners to bring positive outcomes to benefit residents and communities. An empty property is a wasted resource. The Council has created new ways to work with the owners of properties that are suitable for subdivision. The new Housing Assistance Policy targets landlords who can help benefit communities by turning unused buildings into safe and affordable accommodation.

As well as providing much needed homes, leaving a home empty can leave the owner up to £12,937 out of pocket, due to Council Tax, lost rental income, work in default, insurance premiums, and utilities charges.

The Council wants to work in partnership with empty homeowners to encourage them to bring their empty home back in to use. The Council can offer financial assistance to help with the costs of refurbishment. Grants and loans are available for bringing empty homes back into use and for the conversion of obsolete commercial premises to provide much needed residential property. However, where owners refuse to co-operate and the empty home is a high priority, then it will take appropriate enforcement action such as through enforced sale and compulsory purchase orders.

The Council is holding drop-in sessions during Empty Homes Week. Staff will be available for empty homeowners to get advice and support on bringing the properties back into use, and also an opportunity for residents to report any empty property concerns. Booking is not required. Sessions will be held:

• Tuesday 5 March, 10am -2pm at Wyvern House, Winsford
• Thursday 7 March, 10am-2pm, The Portal, Ellesmere Port

Councillor Christine Warner, Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, said:

“The cost of living and housing are real issues for many residents in our Borough, especially for families and individuals with no place to call home. The Government has changed Council Tax rules to mean that more people will be required to pay the empty property premiums from April. We want to work with owners to reduce financial pressures associated with these Council Tax changes whilst helping to increase housing provision in the Borough. We encourage owners of empty homes to visit the website, get in touch with us, or come along to our drop-in sessions, to find out more about how the Council can help to bring these properties back into use.”

For more information on bringing empty homes back into use, visit:

Empty homes | Cheshire West and Chester Council

To raise an issue about an empty property, visit:

Raise an issue with an empty house - Your data - Self (cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk)

Or email:

EmptyHomes@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk