Compulsory Purchase

TJ27

I've mentioned once or twice on this forum that local authorities have powers to compulsory purchase properties which have been vacant for prolonged periods of times, or "problem vacants".

Some of you have commented that it's a disgrace for these properties to be left empty when people are is housing need. I couldn't agree more.

So I just thought I'd let you know that some of my colleagues successfully compulsory purchased two such properties only last week. These will be renovated and brought back into occupation.

So if you know of such properties, you might wish to report them to your council and ask them to take action. It's not easy to do, and it doesn't happen very often, but it does happen.

Just a thought.

Guy_Montag

So what happens? Are they turned into council housing or sold off?

& if sold, to whom?
Private landlords
Owner occupier
or some sort of HA?

TJ27

Well the honest answer is that I'm not sure. I suspect that they will be sold on to a housing association though.

We do hold lists of these problem vacants and show these lists freely to prospective purchasers. We don't give details of the owners but actually it's easy enough to determine ownership from the land registry. The problem is that people are usually very reluctant to sell. But the solution is that we compulsory purchase.

So it's fairly unlikely that private landlords will get their hands on such houses, but it's worth a try. As long as they are renovated and brought back into occupation we don't care who owns them really.

Guy_Montag

How do you value them for CP?

I'm just thinking if I know any derelict buildings I can put the council onto, after they threaten CP, I swoop in with an marginally higher offer.

TJ27

Ha, Ha. Yeah, not many have thought of that one. :rotfl:

I don't know. These guys work with me but I don't really know how they do stuff.

You're probably right though, if somebody was faced with imminent compulsory purchase they might be less reluctant to sell.