OWNERS of empty properties could be forced to sell up as part of a new council strategy aimed at bringing 1,000 empty homes back into use.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s ruling cabinet is set to meet on June 8 where it is expected to rubber-stamp a raft of measures aimed at easing a shortage of liveable properties in the borough. The measures will include grants to help fix up old homes and in some cases, enforcing compulsory sales.

According to the council there are 6,500 people on the housing register but 4,302 empty properties, of which 1,406 have been empty for more than six months and are classed as ‘long term empty’.

The council’s previous housing strategy launched in 2016 has so far brought 965 properties back into use. The new strategy will run until 2027 and, if given the go-head, will include a package of measures divided into three sets of options – enablement, inducement and enforcement.

Empty properties would be tracked down through information passed from partner agencies and 'tracing agents' who specialise in locating absentee owners through professional genealogical and legal research services.

First, owners would be sent letters asking why the property is empty and what their intentions are. It would explain the options available to bring the empty home back into use.

These include:

  • Providing technical advice in relation to any work required to bring the empty home up to standard.
  • Help to become a ‘good landlord’ by becoming a member of the Cheshire Landlord Accreditation Scheme.

Inducement measures include:

  • Empty home grants: These would be available to owners to help them towards carrying out any required improvement work.
  • Empty home loans: The council could provide a shared equity loan if the empty home-owner intends to let their property after completion of any required work.

When owners refuse to cooperate with the council and the property is deemed high priority, it would be able to take enforcement measures, such as:

  • Enforced sale: Enforcing the sale of an empty home if the owner has a financial debt owed to the council and it is registered against the property.
  • Compulsory purchase order: Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 allows the council to carry out a compulsory purchase order to acquire underused or ineffectively used homes for residential purposes if there is a general housing need in the area.

A report to the cabinet, said: “To help bring empty homes back into use, we have devised a financial assistance programme that provides loans and grants as well as advice and support.

“However, there are times when it is necessary to use enforcement measures. The aim of this strategy is to unlock the housing potential of long-term empty homes.”