Open and derelict properties
We work with owners to return open and derelict properties back into active use.
Empty Homes
Advice for owners
Owning an empty property can be an expensive option. They are often a target for vandalism, graffiti and other criminal activity and as an owner you might be faced with the cost of:
• Insurance
• Council Tax
• Security measures
• Regular inspections
• Repair and maintenance
• Renovation
• Depreciation
You are also missing out on the potential income from letting or selling the property. So as an owner what can you do?
1. Sell the property
Changing the ownership of an empty property has an obvious relationship with it being brought back into use. How many purchasers would leave a property empty?
You can either sell the property privately, or through an estate agent. The local housing market is well served by numerous estate agents located in the Borough and surrounding areas. Contact information is available in the local papers or via trade directories. Estate agents charge a fee for their services, but are more likely to achieve greater coverage in marketing the property for you, and can provide information and advice about the selling process. For those agents registered with the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) you can find their details at: http://www.naea.co.uk/ under “Find a Member” or Telephone 01926 496800.
Over 25,000 properties are sold at auctions every year and if your property proves difficult to sell they could be a quick and decisive alternative. The great advantage is that auctions have a captured audience of developers, portfolio landlords and property investors. A complete list of auctioneers can be found on the Empty Homes Agency website at emptyhomes.com/what-you-can-do-2/resources/auctions/. Details of upcoming auctions can be found at: http://www.futureauctions.co.uk/
2. Let the property to tenants
You may prefer to let your property to receive a regular income. You can either let the property privately, or through a recognised letting agent. Solihull Community Housing , Housing Options team are always looking for landlords who are prepared to let their properties to people in housing need, incorporating the Solihull Community Housing Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme. If you do decide to let your property, it must reach a minimum standard visit our pages about privately rented housing for more information. For information on the Solihull Community Housing Rent Deposit Guarantee scheme telephone 0121 704 5151 or visit Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme.
You can let your property through a residential letting agency this reduces the amount of work you will have to do to let your property. Fees and services will vary and to help with the selection of a suitable agency, you may wish to contact the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS). They promote quality standards for letting and management agents, offering peace of mind to both landlords and tenants. Telephone 01242 581712, or visit http://www.nalscheme.co.uk/ Alternatively you could contact the Association of Residential Landlords (ARLA) which self regulates letting agents, arranges training for landlords, and provides information and guidance for both landlords and tenants. Telephone 0845 345 5752, or visit http://www.arla.co.uk/
For more information and independent advice and assistance on the responsibilities of owning and maintaining property and becoming a landlord you can contact the following organisations.
The Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme (MLAS) is a scheme to recognise and promote good landlords who provide their tenants with high quality, safe accommodation. Any individual, agent, partnership or limited company can apply to become accredited, but they must attend a one day development course, agree to follow a code of conduct and certify that they are a 'fit and proper person' (A 'fit and proper person' is someone who has not committed any offences or had action taken against them as detailed in the Housing Act 2004), there are some additional requirements for agencies etc. The code of conduct requires Landlords to comply with the law and carry out urgent works promptly.
Accreditation Network UK (ANUK) promotes accreditation in the private rented sector and has worked with the Improvement and Development Agency (I&DeA) to produce a Landlord Development Manual. This can be viewed or downloaded at: http://www.anuk.org.uk/ or Telephone 0113 205 3404.
3. HMO (Houses of Multiple Occupation)
If you rent a property that has three or more floors and has five or more people living in it in more than one household who share amenities such as bathrooms/cooking facilities, you may well need a licence from the Council. There are heavy penalties for letting an unlicensed property. For more information on HMO licenses visit.
4. Carrying out improvements to the property
If the property needs work make sure you use reputable tradespeople to carry out the work; we recommend getting three quotes and taking up references where possible. Certain types of work require building regulation approval, or must be carried out by a contractor on a competent persons' scheme, including gas, electric, and windows and doors. In certain circumstances financial assistance may be available from financial institutions. Currently there are no loans available from the Council. Public Protection have information with regard to approved traders via the Shipshape' scheme.
You may also wish to contact the following Respected Trade Bodies:
Federation of Master Builders
Telephone 020 7242 7583, or visit www.fmb.org.uk/
National Federation of Builders
Telephone 0870 8989 091, or visit www.builders.org.uk/nfb09/home.eb
Gas Safe registers (for approved gas safe contractors)
Telephone 0800 408 5500, or visit www.gassaferegister.co.uk/
NICEIC (Electrical contractor’s regulatory body)
Telephone 0870 0130382, or visit www.niceic.com/
Unsecured property
Some empty properties become vandalised and are not secure against unauthorised access. The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 empowers Local Authorities to deal with privately owned vacant buildings which are not secured against unauthorised entry or that are likely to become a danger to public health. We have responsibility for ensuring that reported derelict and insecure buildings are secure and no public health threat is posed to people in the vicinity.
If you know of any vacant or unsecured houses where owners fail to bring them back into occupation, please contact us with the details or alternatively fill in the online form.
This information is provided for guidance only and should not be taken as a recommendation. The Empty Homes Officer can only deal with empty residential property. For further information please contact:
Empty Homes Officer, Public Protection on 0121 704 6020 or email . . .
Places Directorate
PO Box 1833
Council House
Solihull
B91 9DZ