There are around 950 long term empty homes in the Warwick District area. The Private Sector Housing team work to bring these homes back into use. We recognise that empty homes are an important resource which can be used to meet the local housing need.

Please note that due to data protection regulations we are unable to provide lists of empty homes to the public.

The council can offer advice and support to empty property owners on renovation work, planning and building regulations, property standards, claiming reduced levels of VAT for renovations, selling, letting and leasing advice. 

The Private Sector Housing Team contacts owners to complete a survey of long term empty homes in our district, anually, to provide information on the reasons why homes are empty and to advise them that the Council monitors progress towards re-use.

Why bring empty homes back into use?

  • Empty homes can quickly fall into disrepair;
  • Empty homes attract crime and anti-social behaviour;
  • They can prove expensive for owners to insure and maintain;
  • Long term empty properties will face premium rate council tax charges;
  • The owners will also miss out on potential rental income or capital from selling.

Report an empty property

 Report a long term empty property to us by:

Selling

Any property will be attractive to a purchaser at the right price and selling is a good option where property owners lack the funding or the time to oversee renovations and may not wish to become a landlord. An alternative to using an estate agent is to sell at auction. This is useful to achieve a quick sale and may appeal in particular where properties require substantial investment.

Propertyauctionaction.co.uk provide a comprehensive list of property auctions.

Letting

Warwick district has a strong rental market and properties can bring landlords a good income. There are many local letting agents who can let or fully manage your property for you. Caution is required in selecting a letting agent as they can vary in their professionalism.

If you intend to let a property you must ensure it meets the legal requirements before you take on tenants. The Private Sector Housing Team can give invaluable advice and may be able to offer advisory property visits to ensure the property is compliant.

Enforcement

The Council always seeks to work with owners to get homes back into use. Sometimes, owners are not responsive, or have unrealistic expectations and timescales for action. Where conditions affect neighbouring properties enforcement action may be taken. There are a range of legal powers that can be used including:

  • Securing buildings which are unoccupied and which are not effectively secured against unauthorised entry (used for domestic AND non domestic property) (Section 29 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976)
  • Remedying Category 1 hazards (Section 11 Housing Act 2004)
  • Clearing overgrown gardens (Section 4 Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949)
  • Clearing accumulations of putrescible waste (Section 80 Environmental Protection Act 1990)
  • Empty Dwelling Management Orders (Part 4 Housing Act 2004)
  • Enforced Sale (Law of Property Act 1925)
  • Compulsory Purchase Order (Section 17 Housing Act 1985)
  • Unsightly land and buildings (Section 215 Town & Country Planning Act 1990