’s EMPTY PROPERTY INITIATIVE 2010-11 bumper edition momentum with three times the volume of loan enquiries 10 MILLION INVESTMENT being received since the original launch. The beauty of the Loan Fund is that it operates on a recyclable HELPS KENT’s CAMPAIGN basis, with many of the earlier loans now being repaid, the 'loan pot' is being replenished and can effectively be 'loaned TACKLE EMPTY PROPERTIES again”. THE FACTS Research shows that the cost of renovation works is one of the biggest obstacles to bringing empty homes back into use and the loan scheme is a very tangible solution to unlock the problem, whilst also having wider community benefits. The average No Use Empty Loan is currently £18,500 based on the number of units returned to date. LOANS The loan scheme is intended for any owner of an empty property, or someone who is considering buying an empty property (if the property has been empty for 6 months or more). They can apply for a secured interest-free loan of up to £25,000 per unit to a maximum of £175,000, which in the majority of cases is made as an up front payment. RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECT ‘FROM BUSINESS TO RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION’, NORFOLK ROAD, CLIFTONVILLE Loans will also be considered for applications to convert No Use Empty; the Initiative work is also undertaken by partnership is needed by commercial properties into which is helping to bring local businesses and trades residents to tackle the residential accommodation. empty properties in Kent people. These recently problem. We're so pleased we Please see contact file on back into use, has approved awarded loans will help have been able to assist more page 12 for further details. a further record breaking owners to renovate new family people in giving a new lease 40 interest free loans to homes across Kent including of life to so many empty home owners across the , , , homes and that the initiative in County in the last year Shepway and Thanet. Kent is proving a valuable in this issue ■ alone, putting the total option for those who are National Recognition Kevin Lynes, Cabinet Member ■ Empty Homes value of loans distributed for Regeneration at Kent finding it hard to raise money ■ HCA Debate to date at £3.3 million. County Council (KCC) said, for these projects". ■ Kent Uncovered Combined with owner's “The enormous success of the Steve Grimshaw, KCC ■ Helping Dartford’s Homeless contributions, the total Loan Scheme highlights just Regeneration Project ■ British Property Federation investment in empty homes how critical the issue of empty Manager, said “It has been a ■ Property Guardians has now reached £ 10 million. housing is in the County and phenomenal 18 months. The ■ Breaking News The majority of renovation how the No Use Empty campaign continues to gain NATIONAL NO USE EMPTY RECOGNITION JOINS FORCES WITH THE Kevin Lynes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Kent County Council, said “It is very pleasing to see that our Initiative has NATIONAL ASSOCIATION been fully embraced across the county, our innovative partnership approach has consistently achieved tangible results thanks to the tremendous efforts of all those involved. OF EMPTY PROPERTY PRACTITIONERS All twelve No Use Empty working together provides. districts have joined the Working together helps ensure membership organisation the good practice across the National Association of board, share information, skills Empty Property Practitioners and experience with other (shortly to become the Empty organisations and individuals Homes Network). The with common aims. It also organisation supports those helps to raise the status and involved in delivering empty profile of Empty Property KEVIN LYNES WITH STEVE GRIMSHAW property strategies with the Practitioners. The organisation We were recognised by the Cliftonville West, part of a long support of government is currently promoting its draft Audit Commission in their term effort to reduce density. ministers, the Housing Action Plan for a national publication “Building Better I am also delighted that we Corporation and the Empty Empty Homes Initiative, with Lives”, which highlighted have made a significant Homes Agency. the hope that the Government Kent's campaign for being contribution to the recent An empty property practitioner will give national leadership on creative in responding to local HCA debate on Empty Homes can be anyone involved in the issue. needs, making a positive and that No Use Empty was tackling empty property as a No Use Empty is the fourth impact and identified Thanet held up as an example of part of their job. One reason forum to take collective as an example of how a local good practice by the Housing why partnerships and membership and according to authority has also used Minister in his on-line video organisations such as these are David Gibbens at the NAEPP, supplementary planning policy How Do We Maximise Empty so important to tackling the we are “certainly the most to restrict the developments of Homes?, which supported empty homes problem is the prestigious”. one bedroom flats in the debate.” unity and understanding that www.ehnetwork.org CASE STUDY NO USE EMPTY LOANS HELPS DOVER RENOVATION developer Philip Bigio, was Housing, Landlord Policy and cluster of new apartments in a granted an interest-free loan a Tenant Affairs, said: “We are prime location in the centre of year ago from No Use Empty working hard to bring town, which I'm sure, will be to meet the renovation costs regeneration to Dover and the sought after.” required to convert the district, the No Use Empty building into luxury initiative can definitely make apartments. that happen and is a great Now complete, the new example of working in Warehouse Caves Court partnership with Kent County CAVES COURT - BEFORE features six 2-bedroom Council to achieve real results. This renovation has given a The Kent district of Dover has apartments, two loft previously redundant building had some particular apartments and private in the centre of Dover an successes in restoring empty courtyard with allocated exciting new lease of life.” properties, including an old parking, security gates and derelict warehouse in the town video entry system. In Owner of the property, Philip centre which has been addition to the loan from Bigio, said: “The No Use transformed into stunning new No Use Empty, a further grant Empty Initiative has been a apartments. The old Victorian and support has been tremendous support in warehouse on Worthington provided by facilitating the re-development Street, in the centre of Dover, Council. of the building. We have been had been derelict for over ten Cllr Sue Chandler, DDC able to move quickly, carry years. The current owner, Cabinet Member for Strategic out the renovations in under a Kent-based property Housing, Local Authority year, and the net result is a CAVES COURT - COMPLETED THUMBS UP FOR KENT David Ireland, Chief Executive of the Empty Homes Agency, say's Kent's approach to tackling empty housing is making a big difference:

By my reckoning the No Use keep buildings empty and want, out of eyesores and Empty movement is creating allowing people to turn them wrecks that nobody wants to almost a third as many homes back into homes. live next to. Across there is often a tension as the whole house building There is nothing inferior about between providing the homes industry in Kent. Scattered the homes this movement is that the community needs and across many sites, worked on creating. Life has been preserving the countryside by many different people, breathed back into that makes it special. A there are no glossy sales characterful old houses, and common riposte by those brochures, or new buildings to local landmarks. Property in opposing new development is see. To the casual observer it this part of the country does why build new homes when is easy to overlook the not fall empty because nobody existing ones lie empty. enormous contribution to wants to live in it. There is housing supply this makes. enormous demand and need No Use Empty has taken the Through advice, for homes. Indeed there are far point at face value and helped encouragement, financial more people who need homes the Kent housing market assistance and occasionally than homes available. create a source of housing enforcement, Kent councils Recycled old properties that everybody welcomes. are resolving the problems that provide homes that people www.emptyhomes.com STOP PRESS + STOP PRESS + STOP PRESS +

NEW EMPTY BUT… AND… HOMES FIGURES NO USE EMPTY CONTRIBUTES TO HCA ON LINE PRODUCE IS STILL DEBATE: EMPTY HOMES TROUBLING BREAKING ITS RESULTS TARGETS KCC Regeneration Project Manager, Steve Grimshaw The latest Government The No Use Empty Initiative contributed to the debate statistics show the numbers of has exceeded its delivery featuring in a short film empty homes continues to rise. targets. highlighting the success of The total for the UK now tops With the campaign fast Kent's Initiative. A variety of one million, enough to house approaching its 5th additional topics within the the entire population of Ireland, anniversary, new figures have context of the debate were and the third successive annual revealed that No Use Empty posted to the website which increase. In the South-East has now delivered over 1,266 highlighted the key challenges alone, there are approximately units back into the community that local authorities face, from 84,200 empty homes. In Kent as new, good quality homes Tackling empty homes is one issues of funding and the overall number of empty smashing the revised target of the Coalition Government's resources, to partnership homes reduced from 19,225 in set to return 850 units by policy priorities. The Homes working and enforcement, as 2008 to 18,515 in 2009 of 31st March 2010, having and Communities Agency well as showcasing some which approximately 8,000 already exceeded its original (HCA) ran an online debate innovative practice and have been empty for more than target by 115 properties two which had the support of the generating practical solutions. six months, which is where we years earlier. Housing Minister, the Rt. Hon The debate has been the most focus our campaign. Since the Grant Shapps, calling for popular of the HCA debates so No Use Empty Initiative began We will be doing all we can contributions and ideas about far. 138 individual comments we have identified that 36% of to maintain our success rate. how to help bring more private were posted, which attracted all empty properties recorded No Use Empty has made a sector homes back into use in 5,372 unique visitors to the site; (by the original partners) as commitment for the period the current economic climate. the majority of participants. being returned to date are a covering 1st April 2010 to direct result of loan intervention 31st March 2013 to return a and the availability of the minimum of 600 units back into Capital Loan fund provided by use, through the range of Find out more about Empty Homes by Kent County Council. interventions currently available. going to www.homesandcommunities.co.uk KENT UNCOVERED: AN UPDATE FROM DISTRICTS AND BOROUGHS AROUND

Steve Grimshaw, KCC Regeneration Manager, said “It just goes to show THE COUNTY what can be achieved with everyone working towards the same goals” and eventually sold it to a local developer, who immediately AND MALLING began work. The new residential development is due The Council has made an to be completed before the end enforced sale on a property in of the year. Cork Street after many years of lying empty. The Council served various improvement In Milton Road, two properties notices on the property, have been lying empty from the requesting the owner to mid-1990's. undertake essential works. Council served notices under After failing to comply with the the “Town and Country notices the Council undertook Planning Act 1990 Section 215 the works in default. Utilising in 2005, requiring a list of works the Law and Property Act 1925, to be completed within a the property was put into designated time frame. The auction this summer and was owners were taken to court on sold to a local developer for MILTON ROAD, GRAVESEND several occasions over the renovation and conversion into coming years after failing to and were found guilty of non- a family home. carry out the necessary action compliance. The upper floor flats were finally completed and SWALE occupied in 2008 and the Swale Borough Council has ground floor of the properties recently sold three properties, recently opened as a one in and two in restaurant. Without the service the Isle of Sheppey which were of a S.215 Notice, these directly purchased from their properties would probably have respective owners and sold remained in a derelict condition either privately through a for years to come. Councils sealed bid process or at around Kent have successfully auction. Another property in used this legislation on GREENLANDS, SEVENOAKS - BEFORE Sittingbourne was purchased countless occasions to help by the Council from the owner EMERALD VIEW, - BEFORE bring empty properties back and following refurbishment into the community. has subsequently been made available for rent. In a previous SEVENOAKS case, Swale gained access to a The first £25,000 loan has been property in Emerald View, approved to assist with the Warden having secured a complete refurbishment of a warrant for entry through the detached property in Magistrates Court. The Greenlands. The project has property was found to be in a planning permission to include filthy and verminous state. a partial demolition and Having traced the owner to a extension, to create a new 3- GREENLANDS, SEVENOAKS - AFTER council flat in Croydon, Swale EMERALD VIEW, SHEERNESS - AFTER bedroom family home. entered into lengthy negotiations which resulted in SHEPWAY an independent valuation of the Five individual projects in property being undertaken and , (including a a purchase price was then Victorian property in Bouverie agreed with the owner. The Place and properties in Tontine property has since been Street, Street and restored and now occupied. Pavilion Road) as well as a more recent project in Hythe were awarded a total of Maidstone Borough Council £195,000 during the year from has recently made an enforced the loan fund. Considerable sale on a property in Peel progress has been made with Street. After more than ten several projects completed years lying empty, the Council which will all be offered to let served notice on the property PEEL STREET, MAIDSTONE as affordable accommodation. HARVEY STREET, FOLKESTONE Over in £25,000 2 x Grade II listed buildings in property into a multi-unit THANET has been awarded for the Middle Street, one of which scheme. An architect has been redevelopment of a two-storey has remained empty for 11 appointed for the project and middle terraced house with a years and will soon be pre-application discussions basement dating back to available for rent. have now been held with the the1850s. The new high- Council. It is hoped that this will speed rail link announced will DARTFORD soon bring an end to the also bring potential benefits to In the borough of Dartford, turbulent past this long term a new owner. interest-free loans have already empty property has inflicted on its surroundings. DOVER reached £211,000 which will Nine individual loans have been awarded so far this year. These include a loan of £42,000 to assist with the 14-16 ATHELSTAN ROAD, CLIFTONVILLE refurbishment of a four storey mid terrace house built circa £4.2 million, which represents 1890, situated in the town 57% of the total funding centre and to the rear of invested in Thanet, has been Dover Priory Train Station. directed to the Cliftonville ward. The property will provide The former Landmark Hotel in three self contained units Athelstan Road, which when completed. remained derelict for some time, subjected to squatters and vandalism is now nearing OLD SCHOOL HOUSE, BEAN completion. The essential redevelopment and see a pair of three-storey refurbishment is in keeping with former town houses in the building's historic character being refurbished Canterbury has a huge and style. Total costs for the and converted to 6 self- student population, many of project are in the region of contained flats. whom live in privately-rented £400,000, of which the loan of Meanwhile, in the popular accommodation. We have a £175,000 from No Use Empty village of Bean, a single storey comparatively small number of has gone a significant way to detached school house empty homes as a result. covering the cost of converting constructed circa 1895 has Many of the houses in the property into 14 two now been transformed into a that look as if they bedroom apartments which are new much needed family might be empty are in fact already being marketed and GRANVILLE STREET, DOVER - AFTER home. The development was second homes. Last year the available for rental. started in 1995 but remained council adopted a policy of incomplete. In 2008 an tackling the problematic agreement was reached to sell empty homes only and we the property onto a new have two of these “on the go” developer who would complete at the moment. the works undertaken to date. However, there was a major ASHFORD structural problem which One way in which Ashford required a new flank wall to be Borough Council is addressing constructed in order to remove empty properties is through the subsidence. These works their Private Sector Leasing were not budgeted for so No Scheme, where properties are Use Empty stepped in to save managed on behalf of WINCHELSEA TERRACE, DOVER - the refurbishment with a BEFORE Landlords, who are offered the £25,000 interest free loan. opportunity to lease their Residents of Bean have property to the Council for a expressed their satisfaction at fixed period. The incentives seeing this major long term for landlords include: empty property being no guaranteed rent for the period HAROLD ROAD, CLIFTIONVILLE longer an attraction for anti- of the lease, monthly rent paid social behaviour. in advance, no commission or A property dating back to the fees and at the end of the 1800's in Harold Road, TUNBRIDGE WELLS term a commitment to return Cliftonville has been converted A red-brick Edwardian villa, the property to the Landlord in to form 8 self-contained two formerly a residential hotel, in a lettable condition. bedroom apartments following a conservation area on Frant Ashford Borough Council also a loan of £135,000. Properties Road, Tunbridge Wells has encourages owners of empty in Norfolk Road and Eastern been derelict for 12 years properties through mailings Esplanade have recently been WINCHELSEA TERRACE, DOVER - having closed in 1998 and using Council Tax data. A AFTER approved with a combined loan changed ownership several number of properties have value of £275,000 and we hope In Deal, several individual times. The current owner has been brought back into use to showcase these properties loans of £25,000 have been been encouraged to submit a through our intervention and when completed on our soon approved to support projects new planning application to others are currently in the to be re launched website. including the refurbishment of the Council to convert the process of renovation. WEST KENT EYESORE BPF CALLS IS FINALLY RESTORED In the semi-rural village of , situated within the Green Belt area of Sevenoaks, there are three bungalows at the end of a terrace of ten properties in Wood Street. Situated near a conservation area they have remained empty FOR EMPTY for nearly ten years having fallen into a state of disrepair. HOME FOCUS

The British Property ■ Money to renovate Federation has urged the homes. This should be Government to tackle the reallocated from the UK housing crisis by reviving HCA's temporary social empty homes, which housing grants, which are provide a cheaper currently only available for alternative to building new new builds. As with many long term agreement was not kept by ones. Bringing a house back ■ Government to extend its empties, overgrown gardens, the owner, leaving the into use can take as little as proposed council tax rats and fly-tipping, were Council with no other option £10,000, a fraction of the incentive scheme to cover having a severe effect on the but enforcement action. £100,000 cost of building a empty homes, not just local area and adjoining The Council served a Section new social home from new builds. property. Numerous 79 Notice under the Building scratch. Reusing empty homes can complaints about the eyesore Act 1984. This required the There are currently 762,000 also have environmental properties from local owner to either repair or empty homes in England benefits. Recent research by residents resulted in a demolish the properties and close to 1m in the UK, Empty Homes New Tricks petition which attracted the within two months or the according to figures with Old Bricks showed the attention of local Councillors, Council would do the job for released by the independent renovation of an empty gaining local press coverage them and recover the costs charity Empty Homes. house creates about a third leaving from him. Fortunately, an Council to take firm action. Meanwhile, there are of the CO2 emissions of interested party came 450,000 fewer social homes building a new one. The owner refused to remedy forward and has since than a decade ago and British the situation and in 2008 was purchased the properties. 1.7m families languishing on Property convicted for setting They are now working closely housing waiting lists, the Federation's mantraps at the properties with the Council and No Use agency said. Chief and storing unlicensed Empty with a desire to Executive, ammunition in a garage on restore the three properties This 'social housing crunch' the site, leading him to serve and bring them back into has been exacerbated by Liz Peace, said: a prison sentence. use. A No Use Empty loan of house building rates falling £25,000 has been “Renovating empty homes is With continued arson and fire to their lowest rate since the conditionally approved on an opportunity for the damage on the property, the 1920s, a situation that will each of the three properties, government to get people of Council made every attempt be made still worse by a together with a Council grant housing waiting lists and to work with the owner while £450m cut in the Homes of £10,000 on the first into 'good as new' homes; it he served his sentence, and Communities Agency's property to be renovated. budget that has caused it to will also save them money in providing advice and scrap two of its key house the process”. assistance. Eventually the The new owners are currently owner agreed to renovate the in the process of submitting building programmes. “Awarding renovation grants properties upon his release a planning application for Renovating empty homes will remove eyesores from and a programme of action the intended works and hope provides a viable alternative the local community and was agreed as a way to begin the works later to tackle the country's social rectify lost incomes for the forward. Sadly, this this year. housing crisis. owner and surrounding It would also tackle some of landlords. It is a win-win the problems caused by situation for the owner of empty homes, which can empty properties and the attract petty crime, campaign to recycle existing squatters, fly tipping, housing stock”. vandalism and occasionally “With the upcoming arson - forcing areas with comprehensive spending high numbers of empty review we can expect local homes into a spiral of authority funding to be cut decline. however the need to supply To solve this, the BPF and new homes doesn't go Empty Homes are calling away, renovating empty for: homes is a certain way of providing homes.” Combating the ongoing problem of empty housing

No Use Empty, the partnership housing associations interested between Kent County Council in acquiring empty properties (KCC) and the 12 District and for renovation into new homes. Borough Councils has been A number of successful combating the ongoing workshops have been run problem of empty housing under the No Use Empty through a variety of Initiative for Empty Property interventions. It has provided Officers from local authorities free help and advice to across the UK with in excess owners of empty properties, of 560 attending. The aim is to encouraging them to bring their provide guidance on the latest properties back in to use and regulation and legislation in explaining options available to order to equip officers with the them. expertise and skills to help There has also been an them achieve their targets for Compulsory Purchase Orders, Events such as these also important exercise in educating returning empty properties Tracing People, Roles & provide officers across Kent owners of the problems their back in to use. Responsibilities of Leasehold/ the opportunity to meet, share properties are causing local Topics covered with input from Freeholders, Housing Act 2004: experiences and best practice communities. In addition, the keynote speakers from across Enforcement Course, Housing and learn from each other. team has also been working the UK have included: Health & Safety Rating System with local developers and Enforced Sale Procedures, Training. NO USE EMPTY HELPS TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS IN DARTFORD Partnership working is before offering the dwellings essential to the success of to vulnerable people combating the problem of nominated by Dartford empty properties, and now No Borough Council. Use Empty's partners in Cllr. Pat Coleman, Special Dartford have also teamed up Advisor for Housing, Dartford with Green Pastures, a charity Borough Council, said, “It is which has been working to wonderful that this ambitious marry up empty properties project has now come to with those that arguably need fruition and this wonderful old them most: the homeless. building, in the very centre of Green Pastures assists town is, once again, fit for homeless people in helping purpose. Green Pastures and them to enjoy independent the Council have every reason living and has recently brought to be proud of their working a long term empty building together in partnership to back into use as eight self provide such a much needed contained flats in Dartford development for vulnerable town centre. members of our community For four years these flats, whilst, at the same time, located within a large protecting part of our historical almshouse had heritage.” remained empty, with few Dartford Borough Council will buyers looking to invest in this continue to work with Green type of demanding property. Pastures to bring other long Fortunately, Green Pastures term empty properties back did not retreat from the into use in order to deliver challenge and, following significant benefits to those purchase, proceeded to desperately seeking upgrade the accommodation accommodation. Property Guardians In an age of housing which is why owners are reducing the threat of squatters with a large commercial shortages, unaffordable turning to Property Guardians and criminal damage, which in property would pay six figures prices and sky-high rents, who charge a fraction of return are provided with annually for security guards, paying around £50 a week to traditional security costs. affordable housing. CCTV, gates and other live in a character home There are several UK firms A typical property may be physical security. With a may seem a dream but for running guardian schemes, unfurnished but must be property guardian in place it hundreds of people around looking after empty houses and habitable - firms operating could just be a few thousand the country it is a reality commercial premises on behalf these initiatives ensure basic pounds instead. because they are “property of owners. The firms recruit temporary shower and kitchen David Ireland, Chief Executive guardians”. individuals such as professional facilities are in place if they do at Empty Homes said, “When Vacant buildings cost money people, key workers or not already exist. There is no a building is empty, even just and with more properties being students with jobs wanting a real security of tenure as in for a few weeks, it sold or put out of use as low-cost alternative to renting conventional private or social deteriorates quickly so this businesses sell off assets or an apartment that undergo a rented tenancies, thus allowing arrangement prevents that downsize, it is not just rigorous selection process the property to be vacated at happening. For the guardian, individual property owners who including interviews, a Criminal very short notice, sometimes this provides a low cost place have fallen on hard times and Records Bureau check and only 14 days. to live, usually between more are less able than ever to take provision of suitable references. Kent County Council and permanent accommodations. on the costs of security guards. Successful “guardians” are many district Councils have This is one of those rare cases On large premises this can run reliable people who will move used Property Guardians in where the idea is common into several hundreds or into the premises, providing recent months. Typically a sense and everyone benefits.” thousands of pounds a month, virtually a 24-hour presence, local authority or someone

Agencies seeking to place "property guardian" tenants include: Ad Hoc - www.adhoc.eu, Safe Estates - www.safeestates.com, Ambika - www.ambikaproperty.com, Camelot, - www.camelotproperty.com, Guardian Asset Protection - www.guardianassetprotection.co.uk. MAKING HEADLINES The campaign is receiving the support the media, who are recognising the importance of the empty housing issue. The role of No Use Empty has received coverage across the national and regional media, as has also been featured on the radio. A great way to get the message out! MEET THE TEAM John Day Empty Property Officer, Dover District Council

Each newsletter we feature the problem to the attention of property has been left works to the property within a a member of the No Use the public via media coverage. unoccupied for a long time. reasonable time period. As a Empty team….. John Day is There is a need to return However, once the owners are measure of last resort the Empty Property Officer at empty properties in the area located discussions and Council will consider Dover District Council. back into use to provide negotiations can commence Compulsory Purchase Orders Located in East Kent, Dover is homes for local people; where I provide guidance on or Empty Dwelling a major English Channel port. otherwise they often the different ways the Council Management Orders. The population of the town is deteriorate to the point of can help. I also try to Generally, the Council is able 28,156, while the population having a negative effect on persuade them to bring the to make the case to the of the whole district is 39,078. neighbourhoods, towns, and property up to a decent owners to turn a wasted The District is a mixture of the district as a whole. standard and to bring them resource into a financial asset. urban and rural areas, with a Thankfully the public response back into use. The owners are Instead of the property higher percentage of long- is very positive as they then in a position to either rent deteriorating and costing the term empty properties in the regularly bring to my attention out the property, live in it owner money, with a little Dover district compared to the empty properties causing themselves or sell the know how, they can make the National average. concerns. The number of property through auction or property work for them and I work with an experienced empty homes has increased private treaty. Auction is a turn a profit or provide an team in the Private Sector during the last few years very useful method of additional income stream. which are reflected in my Housing Department. disposing of unwanted I work very closely with Kent increased workload. With over One of the most interesting properties where they are in County Council's No Use 1,000 long term empty homes aspects of my job is that poor condition and the owner Empty Scheme and in I have to prioritise those every day is different. It begins cannot raise the necessary conjunction with their officers, properties requiring immediate with answering any mail, funds to address the situation. we have over the last two action to prevent the problem emails and returning phone Sadly, negotiations are not years successfully assisted a from worsening. calls. I then travel around the always productive and in significant number of owners area checking on the progress My primary role is to locate some instances where the in bringing their properties of existing cases which I am and work with the owners of owner will not engage with the back into use. With all this currently dealing with and the empty properties. This is Council then formal action will going on the day in the life of assessing the new ones that I not always easy, as the be pursued. This can involve an Empty Property Officer is have been notified about. owners move away and the serving of formal notices challenging…. but never dull! records become out of date Dover has a proactive policy requiring the owner to very quickly, particularly if the on empty properties bringing undertake and complete THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW

EXTERIOR - COMPLETED INTERIOR - BEFORE KITCHEN - COMPLETED BATHROOM - COMPLETED In the 2008 Spring Issue of Due to the problems the the works identified in a given Please visit our new website our newsletter we featured a property was causing to the period of time and comply to see more case studies property in Turner Street, neighbouring property, Thanet with the decent homes covering a variety of , which had fallen into District Council secured a standard. interventions used and further a derelict state following the warrant for entry through the We are pleased to report that details of how No Use Empty passing away of the previous Magistrates Court, following the property has now been continues to make an impact owner. Government's Treasury which an Improvement Notice brought back into use and to across Kent. Solicitors were contacted to was obtained. This would share with you a selection of www.no-useempty.org assist in trying to trace any require the new owner of the "before" and "after" pictures. family members. derelict property to carry out Affordable homes in ashford and canterbury An affordable homes The government's Homes homes and 32 homes which In Ashford several housing scheme which will provide and Communities Agency are offered under a shared projects including Park Farm 50 people on Canterbury (HCA) contributed a grant of ownership scheme, creating and Repton Park will benefit Council's housing need £4m towards the overall an opportunity for local from recently released HCA register, currently standing scheme costing £11m at people to take advantage of a funding. An investment of at 4,000 with new homes Kingsbrook Park near property with reduced rent or £2.5m will contribute to the has recently been Kingsmead Road, Canterbury to step onto the housing construction of 150 new and completed. to provide 80 affordable ladder. affordable homes.

NO USE EMPTY FEEDBACK FROM LOAN RECIPIENTS consideration and collectively product which will provide a their refurbishment will make a much needed spacious family significant improvement to the home offering 4/5 bedrooms, area' separate bath/shower rooms and parking to the rear”. The Margaret Draycott of D&G Properties Limited, a family property is currently being business with experience in marketed for sale or rent. property development said, Barbara Hewett-Silk said: "It “We think the No Use Empty has been tremendously helpful Initiative is a great idea. to have access to funds to

22-24 ATHELSTAN ROAD, CLIFTONVILLE (WORKS IN PROGRESS) ST PETER’S STREET, DEAL - EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR Martin Neame, said “The No Advice and guidance was help bring this house back up Use Empty Initiative has been available to support us with to a decent housing standard. invaluable to me as without it I the application process. The It had been empty for over would not have been able to fact that the loan is paid-up four years and suffered a lot of carry out the refurbishment front has enabled the project water damage, so the help required. When it became to move forward without provided by KCC & Thanet clear that commercial finance impacting on our day to day District Council staff in would not be available due to cash flow, which for a small obtaining the loan has meant the downturn, KCC stepped in business such as ours is vital we have been able to carry like a business angel and in these turbulent times”. out the repairs quickly and get the house ready for sale in a enabled this project to Steve Grimshaw, KCC proceed.” Regeneration Manager said, short space of time." Mike Thompson, Empty “This project was turned The property in Ramsgate has Property Officer (Thanet around in a relatively short since been sold and the loan District Council) said, “We are empty property in Athelstan space of time with several returned to replenish the Loan particularly pleased to be Road to be supported by the local trades' persons being Fund. assisting with this project as Loan Scheme. A third property involved. We are extremely this is the second long-term in the road is also under pleased with the finished BREAKING NEWS + BREAKING NEWS + BREAKING NEWS + THANET TACKLE KEY SITES AHEAD OF TURNER CONTEMPORARY OPENING

The Fort Road Hotel, work to do. With the opening Arcadian and Arlington of Turner Contemporary in just Square are amongst key a few months' time, we're sites already targeted as determined to tackle the key Margate prepares for the problem areas. In particular, opening of Turner we're focusing on seafront Contemporary. properties lying vacant and derelict. When visitors arrive in Council are the town for the new galley, currently working with the we want them to get the best owners of the sites to try and possible impression of bring forward rebuilding plans, Margate. After all we want but has already instigated people to spread the words Compulsory Purchase Order about what a great place (CPO) proceedings as a fall Margate is to visit. As well as back position. No Use Empty tackling those eyesores, we has been on hand to provide also want to build pride over assistance with other key sites the next few months in the identified as priority projects town, It's easy to knock to be tackled over the next Margate, but that's not what few months. the town needs right now. It Cllr Martin Wise, Cabinet needs everyone to come Member for Environmental together and support it, as we Services said, "Anyone approach the opening of NATIONAL WEEK looking at Margate at the Turner Contemporary". moment knows there is still OF ACTION A variety of Events and Action will be taking place PROSECUTION VICTORY around the country during 22nd - 26th November. Empty Homes established in 1992 as “The Empty Homes FOR LOCAL COUNCIL Agency” is once again calling for a concerted national action Dover District Council (DDC) and No Use Empty, programme to turn Britain’s continues to work hard to address the number of empty property into homes for empty homes across the area. The Council has people. The independent recently approved a new empty homes strategy for charity has been a campaigning the period 2010-2015. voice for those who need home and for those dismayed at the As part of the initiative's empty properties to renovate thousands of homes left empty commitment to target the them in order to ensure they and abandoned across the Colleagues across Kent will be worst properties, an owner of are safe. They also employ a country. participating in more localised events specific to their an empty property in Dover range of methods to help Kent's Empty Property Initiative geographic areas. No Use has recently been prosecuted owners bring properties back will celebrate its 5th Empty are currently finalising by DDC at Folkestone into use to prevent wasted Anniversary in November. No discussions with several Magistrates Court for failing housing resources. Since Use Empty will re-launch its districts who have expressed to comply with Improvement 2007, No Use Empty has website, now refreshed with a an interest in joining the Loan Notices requiring him to approved loans to the value wealth of information regarding Fund and it is hoped that renovate the property. of £1.2 million in Dover empty properties as well as further news will be available Following a successful which, when added to the introducing a new case study as we approach the National prosecution, the owner was private sector leverage from section, which will feature Week of Action. fined £8,000 plus £2,000 the owners results in a total examples of how our innovative costs. investment of £3.6 million. partnership have applied a For the latest event Local authorities have the range of interventions to tackle information please visit powers to require owners of the empty homes issue as well www.emptyhomes.com . as focusing on some "live For our new website visit projects". www.no-use-empty.org WEBSITE RE-LAUNCH

The No Use Empty Website is If you are interested in currently being refreshed and applying for a No Use Empty is due to be re-launched in Loan you will be able to find To be replaced before print October 2010, just prior to our more information on the 5th Anniversary. The updated process and if your local website will be featuring more council has signed up our news, performance data and a Loan Fund. revamped case study section In addition to this there will be covering loans and links to all of our local partners enforcement action, as well as websites. So whether you are a wealth of information buying, selling, letting or own relating to Empty Properties. an empty property make sure you pay us a visit. www.no-use-empty.org

Contact File If you want some practical advice on dealing with your empty property, then contact your local Empty Property Officer who will provide you with free impartial advice. What are you waiting for?

Steve Grimshaw, Regeneration Project Manager 01622 221 906 [email protected] Emma Venturi, Ashford Borough Council 01233 330 582 [email protected] Steve King, Canterbury City Council 01227 862 235 [email protected] Andrew Chambers, Dartford Borough Council Iain Cobby, Shepway District Council 01322 343 670 [email protected] 01303 853 349 [email protected] John Day, Dover District Council Brian George, Swale Borough Council 01304 872 302 [email protected] 01795 417 232 [email protected] Mike Wade, Gravesham Borough Council Mike Thompson, Thanet District Council 01474 337 604 [email protected] 01843 577 408 [email protected] Julian Watts, Maidstone Borough Council Lucy Hicks, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council 01622 602 105 [email protected] 01732 876 130 [email protected] Lisa Webb, Sevenoaks District Council Kathy Alcock, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 01732 227 231 [email protected] 01892 554 275 [email protected]

KENT EMPTY PROPERTY INITIATIVE: KENT COUNTY COUNCIL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

No Use Empty Hotline 08458 247 605 www.no-use-empty.org