Crackdown planned on empty properties

A new council officer has been appointed, and an online reporting form has been developed to address the issue of long-term vacant properties in Warwickshire.

Residents can use the form to notify Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council if they suspect any empty homes or businesses.

The officer will then decide on the best course of action, which may include working with the owners to encourage renovations or taking enforcement action as needed.

It is part of the council’s strategy to repurpose empty properties. The local authority stated that vacant properties could attract antisocial behaviour and were a “wasted resource at a time when demand is high.”

The form collects information about suspected empty properties, such as their location, condition, and length of vacancy.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council stated that by gathering local intelligence and incorporating community feedback, it hoped to identify problem properties faster and work towards reducing the negative impact empty properties had on the area.

According to the council, the collected data will also be used to “inform strategic planning and resource allocation”. Chris Watkins, the local authority’s leader and housing portfolio holder, stated that the authority is “empowering residents to help us take meaningful action”.

“This is about improving our borough and making sure that properties are being used to their full potential,” he told reporters.

According to the council, the collected data will also be used to “inform strategic planning and resource allocation”.

Chris Watkins, the local authority’s leader and housing portfolio holder, stated that the authority is “empowering residents to help us take meaningful action”.

“This is about improving our borough and making sure that properties are being used to their full potential,” he told reporters.

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