Empty Homes

Mars7

Hi

Does anyone know which government agency is responsible for empty homes in NI?

Many thanks

warmhands.coldheart

Mars7 wrote: »

Hi

Does anyone know which government agency is responsible for empty homes in NI?

Many thanks

I would have thought it's the Owner of the house is responsible!!
Owners registered details can be got from the LPS for a small fee..
don't really think councils or the like really like to get involved unless it's some sort of a heath hazard..

Tansy_1980

You can report an Empty Home to NIHE (the body which has strategic responsibility for housing in NI) via this web link: https://www.emptyhomesni.com/report.aspx

Not sure what NIHE will actually do about it once you've reported it. This project may be more about gathering statistics than actually taking homes back into usage. I think they can do a compulsory purchase but only under certain circumstances. Bringing empty homes back into use is becoming a much more widely used council power in England. It would be great to see the same happen here with either properties taken over by NIHE or housing associations or sold to first time buyers for nominal sum if the commit to improving the property - really helps improve areas and foster community spirit. http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jan/29/one-pound-houses-stoke-on-trent-regeneration


If the property is causing a public health nuisance, it's worth reporting the matter to Environmental Health at your local council who may be able to serve the owner with a statutory notice requiring certain repairs be carried out.

Mollyb

Yes, as Tansy said, unoccupied houses are the responsibility of NIHE. They have the power to contact landlords in order to force them to maintain the property.
See article 63 of the below Housing Order 1981. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1981/156


If however the property becomes a danger to the public, ie: slates falling off the roof, chimney in danger of collapse, the local Building Control (in the Council) can possibly also assist in making the building safe. The Council's Environmental Health team can also get involved.
So there are a number of options for you to try out.