Use it or lose it - that's the message that housing bosses are sending out to people who let their vacant properties fall into ruin.
Under recent legislation, Islington now has powers to force landlords to sell or let their property if they do not keep up repairs and maintenance on any unoccupied houses that they own.
These new powers are part of a massive initiative to bring as many of these abandoned resources back into use. It is being made across north London - and Islington is working closely with five other neighbouring boroughs to tackle the problem.
In Islington, officers are trying to encourage landlords of approximately seven hundred dormant properties to bring them back into use - by doing them up and letting them to some of the 1,130 households in need of a home.
As well as providing more good quality housing for those who need it, landlords also benefit from guaranteed rental income rather than letting the building remain empty and to deteriorate even further.
If the council is unable to persuade the property owners to take pride in their properties, a dedicated officer, working across all six boroughs, has the power to force the landlord into a compulsory purchase or compulsory leasing scheme.
Cllr Terry Stacey, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Customer Focus, said: "Empty properties are ghastly eyesores, and attractive only to those intent on crime. All too often an empty property can become a haven for squatters, prostitutes or drug dens. This is a criminal waste - particularly when there is a national shortage of accommodation for people in housing need."
Islington Council spent approximately £800,000 bringing unused private properties back into use across the borough over the last two years. As a direct result this has meant that at least 49 families have been housed in satisfactory accommodation.
Anyone who has spotted an empty property in Islington should call Contact Islington on 020 75272000 and ask for the empty property officer.
If you see an abandoned home outside Islington, call the London Empty property Hotline on 0800 953 6305.
Page Last Updated: 11 February 2008