Haringey targets action against empty home eyesores
Friday 21 November 2008
A new campaign of action has been launched by Haringey Council to transform the borough's 50 worst empty eyesore homes into good quality residential properties.
Including enforced sales and compulsory purchase orders, the campaign has been launched to coincide with a National Week of Action for Empty Properties (24 November to 28 November).
The council will first take enforcement action against the 20 worst eyesores. Once these have been occupied, it will move on to the following 30.
The campaign will build on the action already being taken by the council to bring more homes back into use.
The council has so far asked the government to approve 8 compulsory purchase orders and is targeting another 27 properties throughout the borough for enforced sales. These are sales enforced by a Court Order where the owner owes money to the council.
Haringey is planning to enforce the sale - through auction - of any of the 50 worst eyesores for which money is owed to the council.
Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr John Bevan, said:
"There is a huge demand for good quality housing in Haringey, so it's simply unacceptable that property owners should allow homes to go to rack and ruin.
"Eyesore properties not only bring down the look and feel of an area, they can also attract squatting, anti-social behaviour and crime.
"We will do everything in our power to bring our worst eyesore properties back into use, so that more people in Haringey can enjoy a decent home.
"I'd also urge anyone who owns an empty property in Haringey to contact us to find out more about grants available to help them bring them back into use."
Anyone owning a vacant property could be eligible for grants of up to £11,000, with the property then let to tenants nominated by the council upon completion of the works.
First time buyers can also qualify for a grant of up to £25,000 if they buy a vacant property that is in disrepair.
To find out more about help on offer to bring vacant properties back into use, contact Haringey Council's Empty Property Officer on 020 8489 4214.
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