Decision details

To consider and approve the Draft Empty Homes Strategy.

The Cabinet has

(1)  considered and approved the Draft Empty Homes Strategy 2026-2031 (Appendix 1); and

(2)  delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Place and the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources (S151 Officer) in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Economy, Regeneration and Housing and Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance to initiate and progress enforcement action against the owners of long-term empty properties where:

·  the property is causing blight, nuisance or negative community impact;

·  the owner has failed to engage with the Council despite reasonable attempts to contact them; and

·  no credible plan has been provided to bring the property back into use within a reasonable timeframe.

To ensure that the Council has strategy that outlines the approach to dealing with empty homes across the District.

Creating a better Huntingdonshire for future generations.

The Council has chosen to appoint an Empty Homes Officer to deal with the issue of long term Empty Homes, this strategy has been developed with the benefit of advice from the Empty Homes Network and other Empty Homes Officers Good Practice guidance. 

The report asks that the Draft Empty Homes Strategy 2026-2031 be recommended to go out to consultation and that any changes from feedback received will be considered and taken to the Council’s Cabinet in March 2026.

The Council could choose not to adopt an Empty Homes Strategy, but this would prevent the Council taking action on empty homes and using powers open to Local Authorities.

The Private Sector Housing Officer for empty homes is funded through existing resources until September 2027. Allocated budget of £30k to support empty homeowners to bring their properties back into use.