Empty Properties

Empty Homes cause problems as they are targets for criminal damage and become sites for fly-tipping and anti social behaviour. They also represent a wasted housing resource devaluing and damaging neighbouring properties. Having an empty home that is in a deteriorating condition adjoining your home could result in damage to your property. For example, empty homes are not heated and are therefore cold properties - this could result in dampness along the party wall. 

There are a number of reasons why homes are left empty and these include - individual, regional and national for example.

• National. Could result in households being trapped in negative equity or unable to manage mortgage debt. As a result the lender is unable to dispose of the asset.
• Regional.  An area may have low demand or an over supply of certain properties. Here in Pendle we have an over supply of pre 1919 terrace homes. The latest figures taken from the Empty Homes website for 2009, report that there were a total of 651,993 empty homes in England , which is about 2.9% of the Housing Stock. In Pendle during 2009/10 around 4.66% of the homes in the Borough were reported as being empty.
• Individual factors could include an owner becoming bankrupt or after the death of a relative, waiting for probate to be granted.

Empty Homes Strategy

The Empty Homes strategy sets out how we intend to bring empty homes back into use. The various options included in the strategy offer a number of different ways of helping owners get their empty properties back into use including:

• Improvement for sale
• Enforcement action
• Empty Properties for sale/to buy initiative
• Information on letting the property

Enforcement Action

Where negotiations with an owner have been exhausted, the Council has powers to take enforcement action against the owner to carry out repairs.

• A list of enforcement options is available here

Improvement for sale

The Improvement for Sale Scheme involves Pendle Borough Council buying by negotiation, long term vacant properties from the current owners. The properties are then fully renovated to a high standard.

• More information on Improvement for Sale

Empty Homes for sale/to buy Initiative 

The Council recognises that there are a number of reasons why properties remain empty. One of those reasons may be that the owners cannot afford to invest in the repairs to the empty property.

We have a number of people who are interested in buying empty properties in Pendle. We have set up the Empty Homes for Sale or to Buy initiative. The initiative puts owners of empty properties (who want to sell their property,) in touch with people who potentially want to buy these empty properties.

Visit our Empty Properties Gallery for details of properties for sale at the moment.

If you have an empty  property you want to sell, or are interested in buying one of the advertised properties, please contact Housing Standards on 01282 661022, or email kellian.shaw@pendle.gov.uk or louise.parrish@pendle.gov.uk.

Information on letting the property

Advice can be given to new and existing landlords both verbally and in leaflet format. Information can be provided in a range of subjects, such as tenancy agreements, health and safety requirements and how to find a tenant.  

Tracing an Owner of an Empty Property

If you have identified an empty property and you are interested in buying it, but don't know who owns it, there are a number of steps you can take to try and trace the owner of an empty property.

• Talk to neighbours, they may know who owns the property and have a contact address for them.
• Write a letter to the 'Owner' and either post it through the letterbox or pin it to the front door.
• Contact the Empty Homes Officer at the Council on 01282 661022 or email kellian.shaw@pendle.gov.uk . She may know of the property and/or might be able to forward a letter to the owner.
• Land Registry has the details of registered owners of properties and as it is public information you can access the details for a minimal charge. However, not all properties are registered and many owners give their registered address as the empty one but you will be able to get a name. 
• If the Owner has died there may be executives of a will, or relatives who have applied to the probate Sub-Registry Office in Lancaster . (currently being redirected to Liverpool District Probate Registry Office) There may be a small charge for this information. Please direct all enquires to -

Liverpool District Probate Registry
Queen Elizabeth II Law Court
Derby Square
Liverpool
Merseyside
L2 1XA  

Report an Empty Home

Report an empty home using the online form

Useful Contacts

 For further information and advice please contact -

Useful Links and Downloads

Here is a list of websites which have information on empty homes:

Empty Homes -   an independent charity that raise awareness on the waste of empty homes and offer advice and information for a variety of groups

The Empty Home Network - offers advice and guidance to local authorities to enable them to deliver empty homes strategies.

The Lancashire Empty Homes Partnership  - is a site set up by Lancashire Local Authorities that offers advice on empty properties.

Department of Communities and Local Government  - provides information regarding legislation and recommendations on addressing the problems of empty homes.

No Use Empty - this site is full of useful information for empty property owners and those looking to buy and renovate an empty property