Empty homes across the Epping Forest have fallen nearly 40 per cent in the past ten years according to the district council.

The latest figures have been released in honour of National Empty Homes Week 2019 which runs from Monday, September 23 to Sunday, September 29.

Between 2008 and 2018 the number of unoccupied or substantially unfurnished properties for more than six months had dropped from 611 in to 374.

Epping Forest District Council aims to promote opportunities and schemes to bring neglected properties back into use.

Councillor Aniket Patel, who is responsible for private sector housing for the council, said: “There are a number of reasons why a property may be empty for a long period of time, but living next to one can cause lots of concerns for neighbours.”

“Here in Epping Forest, once an empty property has been identified we try to work with the owner to bring it back into use.

“By offering incentives such as the empty homes repayable assistance and the place loan we can provide the financial support often needed to bring the property back to a suitable living condition, which they owner can then live in, rent out or sell on.”

The district has seen an increasing demand for housing that does not crossover onto Green Belt land building, therefor it is important to make sure empty properties are used.

A property can also be defined as ‘empty’ if it has fallen into disrepair or difficult for the owner to live in, let out or sell in its current condition.

Financial support is offered by the district council through two major schemes, repayable assistance or a place loan.

A repayable assistance allows someone up to £10,000 if their empty property in poor condition that the owner intends to live in or let to a tenant.

A place loan of up to £25,000 interest free can be offered for a property to be renovated in ordered to sell or rent.

A statement from Epping Forest District Council said: “We will always try to work with owners of an empty property in a constructive way. However, there are certain enforcement powers that can be used if the property has been empty for a very long time and is problematic to the local community.

“It is estimated that homes next door to empty properties can be devalued by 10 per cent and there are often additional concerns of nuisance vermin, vandalism, anti-social behaviour and squatters.

“For owners an empty property is wasted resource in terms of potential rental income.

It can be costly if in disrepair, higher insurance costs, increased council tax premiums of 150 per cent, property mortgage fraud, emergency repairs and break-ins.”

Councillor Holly Whitbread, portfolio holder for housing, added: “Epping Forest is an area where housing is in very high demand.

“We are committed to bringing empty properties back into use and a newly refurbished or renovated one could provide a much-needed home for a family.”

Find out how to apply for financial support for empty properties by visiting https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/housing/private-housing/empty-properties/