Empty Homes

There are private sector properties standing empty in Oxford and at the same time there is a huge demand for housing. Empty properties are a wasted home. They are often cause for concern to people living in the locality due to vandalism or squatting.

There are significant costs to owners in keeping a property empty including the loss of income through sale or by renting.

Our Commitment

Our commitment is to bring empty properties back into good use as soon as possible. To do this we:

• offer advice and assistance to owners if needed and,
• where all other options fail compulsory measures to stop the property becoming a nuisance and to bring it back into use are actively pursued.

Empty Property Strategy

This is the first Empty Property Strategy to be adopted by Oxford City Council.  The strategy's aims and objectives link into the Council's corporate plan and strategic aims, and are an essential element of the Housing Strategy and the Private Sector Housing Renewal Strategy.

Empty Property Operational Strategy (1.3MB PDF)

Report Empty Properties to Us

If you are concerned about an empty private sector property in your neighbourhood, please report the property to us.

Report an empty property online

Landlords

If you are the owner of an empty property, you should contact us about how we can work together to get the property back into use. We have information on estate agents, auctioneers, landlords, VAT relief, grants, builders and people interested in purchasing empty properties.

Home Choice Scheme

Oxford City Council runs a rent deposit scheme providing people who may be homeless with the opportunity of finding a home in the private sector. The Private Rented Sector Team can refer potential tenants to you and provide cash deposits or bonds and can help out with tenancy agreements, direct payments of housing benefits and legal advice. Please visit our Home Choice page for full details.

Properties Identified as Empty

Once an empty property has been identified, we will contact the owner to determine the reason why their property is empty. Where appropriate, a range of options to secure reoccupation will be discussed, and advice offered as to the most suitable. The Empty Property Officer will assist in bringing the agreed option to completion.

What are the options?

Our objective is always to work with owners of empty properties to help the situation. There are many options which may assist the owner which include:

• Letting the property independently
• Letting via an Accredited Letting Agent
• Developing the site
• Selling the site
• Housing Association purchase
• Empty homes loan (see below)

If these options do not work then Oxford City Council may use various powers to enforce the improvement of empty properties following negotiations with the owner.

Empty Homes Loans

Oxford City Council, in partnership with Flexible Home Improvement Loans Ltd is able to offer Empty Home Loans to owners of empty properties and anybody wishing to purchase an empty property.

Empty Home loans may be regarded as 5 year, flexible, bridging finance secured by a first charge or, in some circumstances, second charge on the property. The loan must be repaid by or on, the 5th anniversary of the loan being made. You may choose to make regular monthly payments, occasional monthly payments or pay in full on the date of the 5th anniversary of the commencement of the loan. The loan is provided by Oxford City Council on a not-for-profit basis.

On completion of the work the property may be let or used as the owner's residence.

For more information call us on 01865 252280 or 01865 252864.

Page last reviewed 1 May 2012