National Empty Homes Week runs from 4 to 10 March this year and is an opportunity for local authorities, housing providers and community organisations to let people know about their work.

National Empty Homes Week aims to raise awareness of the waste of long-term empty homes, campaign for changes to national policy, provide advice for those seeking to bring empty homes back into use, and develop ideas for bringing long-term empty homes back into use for those in housing need.

It gives Somerset Council a chance to demonstrate its commitment to tackling empty properties, which are often an eyesore and adversely affect the neighbourhood.

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture, said:

We work with a broad range of partners and homeowners to offer a choice of good quality homes for our residents, whatever their age and income.

As part of this work we are committed to bringing empty homes back into use, increasing their value, improving neighbourhoods and creating more housing options across Somerset.”

The Council provides encouragement and support to owners of empty homes, but also has measures for appropriate enforcement action, when necessary.

In addition, loans can be applied for with Lendology CIC and HomeFirst Plus working in partnership with Somerset Council to provide loans and property leasing option to homeowners.

The loan schemes allow homeowners to spread the cost of completing a renovation project and are able to consider applications from individuals who may have inherited a property but are unsure how to bring it back into use, through to companies converting a portfolio of properties.

The Council has a dedicated empty homes officer whose remit is to identify and bring empty homes back into use by providing information, advice and guidance to owners.

A long-term empty property is one that has been unoccupied for 6 months or more.

You can report the location of any empty homes that you are aware of via the Council’s Report an empty property web form.

For more information visit the Council’s Empty Homes webpage.