Frequently Asked Questions

1.      Who are the four West of England Local Authorities?

Bath and North East Somerset Council

Bristol City Council

North Somerset Council

South Gloucestershire Council

2.      I would like to report/ complain about an empty property

Please complete the On-Line Empty Property Reporting form including any details about the property.  This form will be forwarded to the Empty Property Officer at your Local Authority.  Alternatively you can contact the Empty Property Officer at your Local Authority direct - see Contact Us (in left hand column).  The Empty Homes Officer will follow it up, and contact the owner to advise of options available to them for re-occupying the property.

3.      How do I report an empty property

See Online Empty Property Form.

4.      What options are available to bring an empty property back into use?

Please visit the Owning an Empty Property page to see what options are available to owners of empty properties

5.      What schemes are available to lease my property to the council?

Please visit the Contact Us page of this website to contact your local authority direct anf find out what schemes are available in your area.

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6.      Are there any grants available for empty properties?

Most local authorities offer low interest loans instead of grants for empty properties.  However it is advisable to contact your local authority and find out what they have to offer generally.  Any enquiry or application is free of charge, straightforward and can be made without obligation.

7.      Can I obtain a list of empty properties in the area?

The West of England Local Authorities has a policy where it does not disclose information/ lists of empty properties due to the data protection act.

Requests can be made in writing to the Empty Homes Officer citing the Freedom of Information Act 2000 if they wish to have a formal response to this request.

8.      I have seen an empty property I would like to purchase.

We are unable to disclose information on owners of empty properties. However the Empty Homes Officer can pass on details to the owner if we have managed to trace them. The owner can then contact you if they are interested in selling. Any agreement subsequently reached between you and such a purchaser would be a strictly private arrangement in which the council would play no part.

9.      How can I trace the owner of an empty property?

Post a notice on the property stating you would like to contact the owner

Speak to the neighbours, community groups or neighbourhood watch groups- they may know something about who owns the property

Contact the Council’s planning department to see if any planning applications have been submitted, or consult the planning register (also available on website)

If the property is in a rural area the local parish council’s parish clerk may have some knowledge

Carry out a search of the District Land Registry- this contains information on all owners of registered land (cost approx £4). However address of owner is often the same as the empty property. Contact 020 79178888.

If you have the owners name you could use a search agency, which can be found in the yellow pages under ‘Detective Agencies’. They would charge a fee.

10.  How can I find an empty property?

Visit the Empty Property Catalogue (currently under construction - due to be launched in 2010) on this website which aims to put buyers in touch with empty property owners

Contact Estate Agents. They may have some empty properties, but will not usually promote these so well.

Auction Houses are often a good place to find empty properties.

Keep a look out - many empty properties are noticeable when passing.

11.  How can I tell if a property is empty?

The following are signs that a property may have been empty long term, especially if there is a combination of factors:

• Property has been boarded up
• A large amount of uncollected post building up
• Garden is not being maintained- e.g. overgrown, rubbish being dumped and
  not removed
• Signs of disrepair or external damage e.g. broken window, vandalism
• Neighbours may be able to provide information
•  Check the electoral roll at local library or town hall to see if anyone is registered to vote

12.  Why are empty properties a problem?

• They deny properties to those in housing need
• They increase pressure for new development on greenfield sites
• They act as a honey pot for crime and anti-social behaviour
• They can attract vandalism, squatting, arson, fly tipping
• They blight local neighbourhoods, and can be an eyesore
• They devalue surrounding properties
• They are a wasted asset for the owners

If you are aware of a property being empty please report it to the Empty Homes Officer.

We are happy to meet you at the property to discuss the issues that are affecting you and the community. 

Alternatively if you are the owner and you are at a loss as to where to go or who to talk to, please contact your Empty Homes Officer for advice and guidance, we are also happy to meet you at your empty property to discuss solutions to bring it back into use.  We can also link with our planning colleagues to help resolve planning difficulties you may be experiencing.