The Empty Homes Agency is an

Policy
independent
ThecaEmpty
mpaigning charity, which
Homes Agency is an

Policy
exists to independent
highlight the
camwaste of cha
paigning empty
rity, which
property in Engla
exists nd and works
to highlight thewith
wasteothers
of empty
to devise and promote
property sustainable
in England and works with others
solutions toto bringand
devise empty property
promote back
sustainable
into use. solutions to bring empty property back
into use.

The Empty Homes Agency owner and manages it themselves. 3.

possession obtainedLeasing
Private Sector for the owner
- upon a Where ThetheEmpty
LA leases
Homes direct from has
Agency the owner
been suc-
suitable notice
Tackling period being served.
Homelessness and appoints
cessful inancampaigning
RSL to manage with the pro p-for pr i-
its allies
and Empty Properties erty. mary legislation to give local authorities new
The association does not redecorate the
July 2004 discretionary control order powers over such
property or repair or replace any damaged III. This policy
empty homeshas been based
to unlock theseon wasted a ssets
1. furniture where this is due to reasonable wear
Background Scheme type housing
to meet 1 as referred
need.to above. One of
and tear. If at the end of the lease the tenant the benefits of this scheme is that the re nt
is still
There are living in730,000
currently the property
emptyand the landlord
homes in levels4.at which any likely
Information capping
about occurs Homes
the Empty
wishes
England. to renewofthe
The majority lease,
these the association
properties are are normallyAgency
higher when the RSL leases a
will
in areas ofoffer
housinga lease renewal,
nee d. subjectinto the local
For example: property than if a local authority leases it
authority’s current requirement.
London alone there are 100,000 empty directly
Thethemselves.
Empty Homes The Agency
higher rate
is anthen
independent
homes but also 50,000 homeless households allows a more realistic
campaigning fee and
charity, whichmanage-
exists to highlight
Thereproblem
and a huge are many duebenefits
to a lackthat
of we can
affor d- identify, ment the
allowance
waste oftoempty
be incorporated
property ininto the and
England
able homes. Over 80% of such homes are in hand
but we must remember that the y come management
works with agreement
others tofor the RSL.
devise and promote sus-
in hand
the private withMany
sector. good local
communications and the
authorities find tainable solutions to bring empty and wasted
control of risks and responsibilities
themselves in the situation of being u nable across the 3. Policy and
property backProcedures
into use.
scheme.
through no fault of their own to provide sui t-
able accommodation for their homeless. The LAEmpty
needsHomes
to discuss with the RSL how
Agency
ThroughThePSLowner receives
of which thereaare
rentaguaranteed
number of across they intend to operate
195-197 Victoriaand produce a nomin a-
Street
the period that the property is leased
different schemes, private and invariably u n-from tion/management
London agreement for themselves
used properties can be utilised for temporary rent
them as well as the benefit of receiving and theSW1E
RSL. They
5NE should also ensure that
even when the property is empty
accommodation. the right procedures, policy and systems are
put into place for good practice across the
2. Benefits
Summary to the owner include no manage- schemeTel:and020 7963 6883
in support of the RSL. The RSL
Fax: 020 7828 7006
ment fees, legal costs, administration fees or for their part leases the property direct ly from
routine
PSL which maintenance
is normally defined obligations.
as leasingThe v a-owner the owner and enters into the above agre e-
cant habitable dwelling from a private owners tream ment with the LA to manage the property.
also benefits from a reasonable rent
and term
on a short the increase
basis usually in capital value - of
a maximum the prop-
five years using AST’s (“Assured Shortho ldbefore
erty may have had some upgrading The local authority and the housing associ a-
letting and in secure
Tenancy” agreements) and help ease the knowledge that within tion agree terms of contract whereby the
housingreason
need, the propertyunused
by bringing will be kept in good co n- housing association acts as managing agent
and empty
dition
properties backandinto
willthebe returned
market place condition it for the local authority. The owner is guara n-
in thewhether
for affordable renting or sub market rent. and
was taken subject to normal wear Its tear. teed rent for the lifetime of the lease and the
Local
intention Authorities
is help people who are aware
are onof thehou
the types- s of RSL leases the property direct from the
units they require and therefore
ing waiting list looking for permanent acco m- are in a owner.
strong position to inform
modation and or the need for key worker a c- an owner fairly
quickly if the property they have is a prime
commodation. The owner may be required to decorate, r e-
property for use within the scheme. furbish and repair as directed by the associ a-
The policy attempts that a leasing scheme tion and certainly provide new gas and ele c-
Other than the obvious
exists where the model can be acceptable to benefits for the LA (i. trical safety certificates, proof of ownership
e. accessing temporary accommodation),
all parties and a basis from which to init iate a due and insurance as well as a central heating
to a slight modification
scheme. The scheme described in this policyin the Data Protection service contract. Smoke detectors will also be
Act this year, empty property
is a hybrid of various other schemes these officers and required.
include;other
HAMA named
(Housingstaff being are able
Association as toMaaccess
n-
Councilwhere
aging Agent) Tax information
the association not only
actsinfortheir area The housing association identifies a suitable
the local authority in managing the property they property and pays the landlord a guaranteed
but other local authorities ensuring that
only andcan identify
HALS truly empty
(Housing or longLeas
Association terming unused rent. The local authority guarantees a tenant Head Office
properties more efficiently.
Scheme) where the association leases d i- for that property in all cases the LA has 100% Empty Homes Ag ency Office
Head
rectly from the owner and offers the property nomination rights, as the reason for parties 195-197 Victoria Street Agency
Empty Homes
to localThe tenant has a non-secure tenancy nor-
authority attempting PSL is to reduce the housing 195-197London
Victoria Street
mally a Shorthold Tenancy Agreement with waiting list and bed and breakfast usage. The SW1E 5NELondon
various provisions
These fall into 3 broad groups: - as indicated in previous tenant generally claims part or full Housing T: 020 7828 6288SW1E 5NE
parts of this report. The Landlord therefor e Benefit. The Housing Benefit and tenant’s F: 020 7828 7006
T: 020 7828 6288
can gain vacant possession
I. Where the RSL leases direct from the ow n- quickly at the rent is paid directly to the housing F: 020 7828 7006
end of the lease if it is not renewed. This is a association. Whilst the tenant is living in the Northern Office:
ers and manages the property for the LA Empty Hom es AgencyOffice:
win-win for all parties. property, an offer of permanent Northern
and receives nominations from them. PO Box
Empty 3609
Hom es Agency
accommodation may be made at any time
Barnsley
PO Box 3609
A number of Housing Associations operate during the lease. The tenant has no
S75 1WWBarnsley
II. PSL schemes across the
Where the LA leases direct from the country and agency permanent right to reside and the property T/F: 01226 390 093 S75 1WW
can provide contact details if required. can be given up and vacant M: 07719
T/F:798 033390 093
01226
M: 07719 798 033