Our empty-property strategy is aimed at bringing empty properties back into use. If you own an empty property, you can contact the empty-property officer for advice on how to bring it back into use.

Worried about an empty property?

If you are worried about an empty property, contact our empty-property officer, Mike Thompson on 01843 577408, e-mail: mike.thompson@thanet.gov.uk

Download the Empty Property Newsletter Issue 3 (.pdf)
Download the Empty Property Newsletter Issue 2 (.pdf)
Download the Empty Property Newsletter Issue 1 (.pdf)
Fordham Report on Thanet (.pdf)
Thanet House Condition Summary (.pdf)

Visit the main Thanet District Council site (external link)

Why do we have an empty-property strategy?

Empty properties affect a whole community, resulting in social, economic and environmental costs to local neighbourhoods. The aims of the strategy are to:

• get empty properties and derelict land back into use
• discourage crime and antisocial behaviour, vandalism and fly-tipping
• increase the number of houses available
• reduce loss of housing and business premises for the area and
• improve the whole community and make neighbourhoods safer.

There are currently over 3000 empty properties across Thanet. These include both residential and commercial properties.

What options are available?

There are a number of ways that this initiative can help you if you own an empty property.

Advice and information

We can give you advice on a range of subjects such as:

• tenancy agreements
• health and safety requirements in properties
• how to find a tenant
• details of the local landlords's forum and conservation areas, listed status of buildings and planning applications.
  

Registered social landlords (RSLs)

This is the other name for housing associations. They manage a number of properties in the district and some RSLs can help to renovate existing properties. We can refer developers to RSLs to encourage partnership working across the district.

The private-sector leasing (PSL) scheme

Under this scheme you will not need to worry about letting a property because we or a housing association will lease it for you for a fixed period. During this period, we or the housing association will manage the property, and guarantee you a rent.

Enforcement action

If we have not been able to negotiate with you to renovate an empty property, we can take enforcement action against you to carry out repair work. As a last resort, we may apply to the Secretary of State to issue a compulsory purchase order, particularly if your property is in serious disrepair.

If you are interested in our empty-property strategy and would like to find out more, please phone the empty-property officer on 01843 577408 or e-mail: emptyproperty@thanet.gov.uk

For national information about empty properties, look at the Empty Homes Agency's website www.emptyhomes.com.

For local information, e-mail: housing.hmo@thanet.gov.uk.