Empty Properties Success
Cllr Sir Albert Bore
Birmingham's success in bringing 1,400 privately owned empty properties back into use has given a massive boost to the city's housing stock and brought huge financial gains for the city.
The decision taken by Birmingham City Council to remove the Council Tax exemption for empty homes has meant that in 2013/14 Birmingham generated £777k of additional charges via the empty property premium.
And by bringing the properties back into use, the city will also receive an additional £1.8m, included in the overall New Homes Bonus of £4.6m in 2014-15.
Sir Albert Bore said: “The council's dedicated Empty Property Team exceeded the 2007-12 target by bringing 1,400 privately owned empty properties into use through advice, encouragement and intervention where necessary.
“However we would welcome more initiatives to encourage building societies and banks who hold mortgages on empty properties to support these schemes.”
The council's successful Empty Properties team can be contacted on 0121 303 7978 or by email on [email protected]
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For further media information contact Debbie Harrison on 0121 303 4476
