South Cambridgeshire District Council is urging the owners of empty homes to access support to get their properties back into use – during this week’s National Empty Homes Week.
Each year, the campaign demonstrates the work councils and communities are doing to bring wasted empty homes back into use. It is also intended to support those owning empty properties to act on empty homes - which negatively impact their neighbourhoods.
Taking action locally
South Cambridgeshire District Council is stepping up efforts to ensure no home goes to waste. Empty homes that fall into disrepair affect communities and represent a missed opportunity, at a time when housing demand is higher than ever. Reviving an empty property can help with people’s wellbeing, revitalise neighbourhoods, and improve the environment for everyone.
The District Council’s dedicated Empty Homes Officer works directly with owners to help unlock practical routes forward - providing advice, guidance and signposting to tailored solutions.
Since January 2023, the Council has successfully brought more than 100 empty homes in South Cambridgeshire back into use. The Council is now focusing on moving on to more complex cases that need further time and effort to resolve.
Supporting owners to act
The Council encourages owners of empty properties to explore all available options. Support includes:
- Advice on selling through auction.
- Letting options through the Council’s private sector, not-for-profit leasing scheme, Shire Homes Lettings, or the Homes for Ukraine programme.
- Information on the reduced 5% VAT rate for renovating properties that have been empty for over two years.
- Links to reputable private investors who are interested in purchasing run down empty properties quickly.
This hands-on support aims to help owners choose a route that works for them, while bringing valuable homes back into use for local people.
Enforcement as a last resort
Although the Council focuses on collaboration and voluntary action, formal enforcement measures can be used when long term empty homes cause ongoing problems in a local area. This may include a range of legal powers, up to and including enforced sale, if no progress is made.
Upcoming Council Tax changes
Meanwhile, owners of homes that are currently sat empty are also being reminded of changes coming into effect in South Cambridgeshire from April this year. Properties left empty for more than one year - reduced from the current two years - will be subject to a 100% Council Tax increase. That rises to 200% if a property remains empty after five years and 300% after 10 years. This change aims to encourage earlier action and make better use of existing housing stock.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Natalie Warren-Green, said: “Bringing empty homes back into use is one of the most effective ways we can increase housing availability while supporting the wellbeing of our communities. Having visited residents needing advice on this with our lead Council officer, it’s clear to me that every home we return to use makes a real difference to local people - ensuring they can once again become part of thriving neighbourhoods. As our work moves into the next phase of cases which are more complex, we will continue working positively with owners to find solutions that work for them and for local communities.”
A run-down, empty property in Girton was recently brought back into use through enforcement action and close working between the Council and owner. It has now been completely renovated and subsequently let.
Girton property before
Girton property after
Get in touch
If you own an empty property in South Cambridgeshire and are unsure what to do next, support and personalised advice are available. Just email env.health@scambs.gov.uk to request help or visit the Council’s website to get started.
Find out more about National Empty Homes Week here.
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