Council uses compulsory purchase powers to bring five long-term empty properties back into use for homeless families

Walsall Council said there had been repeated attempts to encourage the owners to bring them back into use.

The authority has now successfully applied for compulsory purchase orders (CPO).

Empty dwellings can be a point of contention in local neighbourhoods and can typically attract complaints about rubbish, rodent infestations, overgrown gardens and anti-social behaviour.

They also take away the opportunity for people to access a secure and stable home.

Walsall has 966 homes that have been empty for more than six months, although that is a reduction of 20 per cent compared with 2022.

The council uses a range of means to try to bring empty homes back into use, including negotiation with private owners and enforcement action where appropriate.

Where negotiations remain unsuccessful, the council will take the final step of applying for a CPO.

Dwellings unoccupied and unfurnished for more than two years, which are not exempt, are subject to double the normal rate of council tax.

Those empty for more than five years, are subject to three times the normal rate and if a property has been empty for more than 10 years, then it will be subject to four times the normal rate of council tax.

From April the doubling of council tax will start after a dwelling has been unoccupied and unfurnished for more than a year.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader and portfolio holder for regeneration at Walsall Council, said: “Whilst homes continue to be in short supply, this council is taking action.

“I’m really pleased to report that over the last year we’ve seen the number of long term empty homes decreasing, but we want to do more.

“These homes are not only needed to house our Walsall families, but whilst they are empty, they continue to be a blight on our communities.

"We are constantly working with owners to try and bring properties back into use through negotiation, and financial measures such as increased council tax, but ultimately if required we will continue to use compulsory purchase powers, and the council continuously monitors properties that may need to enter this phase.

“Bringing long term empty dwellings back into use is part of our plan to increase the supply of housing in Walsall and improve community environments.

"This is alongside our work with partners to achieve this with our Willenhall framework proposals, and Bloxwich and Darlaston Town Deal plans.”