Empty properties become new homes | Latest news

 

Arun District Council has approved its first-ever Empty Homes repayable loan which has been used to bring a house in East Preston back into use.

The property had been vacant since October 2014 and the owner contacted the council after receiving a letter from Arun explaining what financial assistance could be available to help make the home habitable again.

As the home needed a lot of work, the owner decided to apply for an interest free £10,000 loan and agreed to let through the council’s Guaranteed Rent Scheme which is managed by Northwood letting agency.

All properties within the scheme have to achieve a decent home standard and be accredited through the Arun and Chichester Landlord Accreditation scheme.

Helen Stevens, Empty Properties Officer at Arun District Council, worked closely with the owner to agree the extent of the works required.

The Council has also given a studio flat in Bognor Regis a new lease of life after it had remained empty for four years.

The flat was restored using funds from the Empty Property Assistance Programme, which is available to owners of empty accommodation in the Arun District.

There are grants of up to £5,000 per home for accommodation that has been empty for longer than six months.

This money is spent on bringing the home up to standard so they can be let out through the Guaranteed Rent Scheme.

There are also interest free loans of up to £10,000 per property for homes that have been empty for longer than six months.

These funds help the owner meet the cost of carrying out the work to the property to make it let-able. The loan is repayable monthly over five years.

The Guaranteed Rent Scheme gives owners who let their property peace of mind because they receive rent if the tenant fails to pay, they receive rent if the property is empty, the money is paid on the same day every month, and there is no commission or additional fees to pay.  

Councillor Roger Elkins, Cabinet Member for Housing at Arun District Council, said: once neglected properties are now providing comfortable homes for people in Arun.

“Over the last year the Council has spent £20,000 on grants which has seen four long-term empty properties brought back into use.

Additionally these empty homes also qualify for New Homes Bonus, which means that for each empty home brought back into use, the Council receives a grant of approximately £1,500 per year for six years which assists in keeping the council tax bills of other properties as low as possible.   

“I would encourage anyone who owns an empty home or is aware of one, to contact Arun so that they can take advantage of the Empty Property Assistance Programme and Guaranteed Rent Scheme. “

For more information on the scheme please visit empty properties section of the website or contact Helen Stevens, Empty Homes Officer at Arun District Council, on 01903 737 788 or Helen.Stevens@arun.gov.uk.