Report an empty property

An empty property is a private sector residential property which has been unoccupied for six months or more. Some buildings do not fit this definition, but are still part of the strategy to reduce empty properties and increase housing availability.

They include:

  • churches
  • chapels
  • other non-residential properties that can be converted into residential accommodation such as commercial properties

An empty property can be brought back into use by renting, selling, or auctioning it, or by the owners themselves moving in.

Report an empty property

To report an empty property, please complete an online form:

Report an empty property

There are many reasons why a property may be empty, below are some of the most common reasons:

  • properties pending a change of ownership
  • owners lack information on options available to bring properties back into use
  • properties left empty because the owner has moved into residential care
  • delays or disputes in the administration of the estate where the owner has died
  • perceived problems with renting the property
  • owner awaiting further increases in the market before selling
  • cost of renovation can be higher in older long-term empties
  • owners are unaware that they own a property or live elsewhere

A long-term empty property is usually easy to identify as it may be neglected and in a state of disrepair. Some tell-tale signs may include:

  • large amount of uncollected post building up inside the front door.
  • the garden not being maintained or rubbish being dumped and not removed.
  • signs of disrepair and external damage that are not being dealt with. For example; broken windows, graffiti or a damaged roof.
  • the property is boarded up. For example; doors and windows are fitted with metal or wooden grilles.
  • lights left on and nobody visits the property.
  • the neighbours might know something about the property. It is worth asking neighbours what they know about the property and its owner and how long they can remember the property being empty.
  • the council might know about the empty property. Contact the local authority where the property is located. The council can see if the property is listed on their records as a long-term empty property.

Where there is a combination of the above factors, the chances are that the property is a long-term empty.

Tracing an unknown/ absent owner is the first step towards bringing an empty property back into use. The following steps outline the steps you can take to find the name and whereabouts of an owner.

  1. Speak with people in the community, e.g. neighbours or community groups as they may know something about the owner.
  2. You could post a notice on the door of the empty property stating that you would like to contact the owner. 
  3. You could do a Land Registry search. This will contain information on all owners of registered land. This is a useful way to find the owner's name, but the address given is often the same as the empty property address.
  4. Once you know the owners name, there are a number of websites that can be used to assist in tracing them.

  5. If the owner of the empty home has died and the will is disputed or the heirs do not come forward, the property can sit 'in limbo'. This is while the identity of the new owner is being established and there will be a question mark over who is responsible for it.

We work together with owners of empty properties to bring them back into use. However, some properties remain empty, are in a state of disrepair and are detrimental or a nuisance to the community. In these cases, we may use our legislative powers to bring the property back into use.

This may include:

  • enforced sale
  • voluntary acquisition
  • empty dwelling management orders
  • compulsory purchase orders

Your report will be processed within 5 working days. The private sector housing team will try to work closely with the owner of the empty property to encourage them to bring the property back in to use.

However it is important to note that it is not an offence to leave a property unoccupied and it is not always possible to take enforcement action. Enforcement action can only be taken as a last resort where the property is causing nuisance or is a blight to an area.

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