Empty homes spark outrage
More homes are lying empty in Wyre Forest than anywhere else in Worcestershire, according to new figures.
More than four per cent of homes in the district were empty last year compared to one per cent in Redditch and 1.68 per cent in Bromsgrove, say the Empty Homes Agency.
Of the 1,974 empty homes in the area, 1,903 were owned by a private landlord and 71 were housing association properties.
Around 639 had remained unused for more than six months.
A councillor has slammed the figures and has drawn attention to George Street, in Kidderminster, which he believes is suffering due to the number of empty homes.
Councillor Graham Ballinger said: "I have asked the district council to try and track the owners. Some are boarded up and some are just lying vacant and it makes the area look shabby."
Empty Homes Agency chief executive David Island said: "The homes themselves have an adverse impact on those who live around them, for example fly tipping and vandalism devalue properties next door."
Wyre Forest District Council provides information on what works would be needed to make a property habitable, along with details of approved contractors and financial concessions and contact details of letting agents and estate agents.
A spokesman said that if an owner refuses to act on the advice, the council will arrange for work to be carried out and have the costs charged to the owner.
