It’s National Empty Homes Week and that’s the perfect opportunity to showcase some of the work Derby City Council is doing to bring empty homes into use.
Big strides have been taken already in 2026, with the Council employing robust enforcement tools to bring neglected homes back into use, providing much-needed housing for residents and helping prevent homelessness.
Reviving a long-abandoned property
One of the properties in question has been stood empty in Chaddesden for over 10 years, drawing numerous complaints about its deteriorating condition.
In a significant development, the Secretary of State has granted the Council permission to confirm a compulsory purchase order, paving the way to restoring the property to a habitable state.
Addressing neglect
Another property under scrutiny suffered from a burst pipe, leading to an internal water leak. The owner had abandoned the property, leaving council officers to intervene and prevent further damage to neighbouring properties.
These emergency actions came at a cost, which has been registered as a charge on the property. The Council is now poised to enforce the sale of the property to recover these costs, paving the way for new owners to bring the home back into use.
A warning to negligent landlords
A third property serves as a stark warning to landlords who neglect their responsibilities. The property was previously let, but severe health hazards caused the DCC Housing Standards team to prohibit occupation.
The owner had failed to settle the costs incurred by the council, and they will now be registered as a charge on the property. Once sold, the debt will be recovered and the new owners can begin addressing the hazards, bring the property up to standard, and return it to the housing market.
Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services, said:
With housing demand so high, empty properties are a real waste, and without regular maintenance can also pose a risk to the surrounding area. Empty Homes Week is a great chance to shine a light on the work our Housing team are doing to tackle the issue.
Through these actions, Derby City Council is demonstrating its commitment to tackling the issue of empty homes and ensuring that properties are safe, habitable, and beneficial to the community.
As we observe National Empty Homes Week, these efforts highlight the importance of proactive measures in addressing housing challenges and supporting local residents.