Empty Homes Strategy 2010-15
The Council agreed a new Empty Homes Strategy in 2010
to deal with the increasing problem of empty homes in the
district.
Dover District has the second highest number of empty homes in
Kent and a higher than average rate compared to England and the
South-East. From 2005 to 2009, the number of long term empty homes
rose by 41%.
The strategy covers the period 2010 to 2015 and supports
the Private Sector Housing Strategy and the Housing Strategy
for the same period. It will also compliment the proposed street
scene strategy and help the Council to support and deliver the
regeneration of Dover.
The new strategy will reflect the changes that have taken place
in recent years including new powers contained in the Housing Act
2004 and recently developed partnership working such as the No Use
Empty Campaign with Kent County Council.
The Strategy recognises that empty homes are a waste of
resources when there is a need for more housing in the district;
they represent lost income for the property owner and may lead to
anti social behaviour.
The Council will utilise a risk based approach to identify the
highest priority cases and take enforcement action where
necessary.
The Council’s target is to bring back into use 30 long term
empty homes each year between 2010 to 2013, and a range of actions
have been developed to deliver this target and the strategic
objectives set out above. These targets and actions will be updated
on a regular basis.
Bringing long term empty homes back into use would provide a
range of economic, social and environmental benefits, and would
help to regenerate and meet the housing needs of the district.
Should you wish to make any comments please submit them to:
The Private Sector Housing
Dover District Council Offices
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover CT16 3PJ
email: privatesectorhousing@dover.gov.uk
Contact Private Sector Housing
Tel: 01304 872 397
E-mail: privatesectorhousing@dover.gov.uk
