Empty Properties

Did you know there are private properties lying empty in Islington? There is a shortage of housing, especially affordable housing, which means empty properties are a wasted resource.

Empty properties are a cause for concern since:

• they fall into disrepair and become eyesores that spoil the look of the neighbourhood
• they can often become dangerous. Unfortunately, children are often attracted to playing in and around them and this can lead to accidents
• they can attract squatters
• they also attract vandalism, arson and other anti-social behaviour
  

Empty properties devalue surrounding properties and are a wasted asset to owners. There are also significant costs to owners just to keep a property empty.

Spotting an Empty Property

Spotting an empty property is not always easy. Many owners tend to their properties and maintain them to a reasonable standard. However, there's a good chance the property is still empty if

• the property is boarded up or has metal screens over the doors and windows
• no one is ever seen entering or leaving the property
• the front and back gardens are very overgrown
• there is rubbish dumped at the front or back of the property
• there are pests and vermin
• there is evidence of squatting or illegal activities
• the property looks derelict, with broken windows and doors, holes in the roof or a large amount of uncollected post has built up

What are we doing about it?

Islington has an empty property strategy, which aims to increase the availability of good quality, decent homes by encouraging and supporting owners to bring their properties back into use.

The Council is a key player in the regeneration of Islington. We will first work informally with empty property owners to bring the property back into use. The Council can help with grants (subject to availability) and advice so that the property can produce an income for empty property owners and at the same time, a much needed home for a family.

If, after all methods of assistance and persuasion, the empty property owner does not bring the property back into use, the Council will consider formal action to compulsorily purchase the property.

Updated 7 February 2011

Plans for the future

Our overall aim is to work in partnership with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies and with the tenants and owners of private sector housing to make full use of all housing resources in the borough to increase the choice of decent affordable homes.

Report an empty property

In order to bring empty privately owned homes back into use, we need the help of landlords, owners and residents to identify all empty flats and houses in the borough.

To report an empty property, use the online reporting form or contact us using the details below.

If you own, live next door to or simply know of an empty property, which is either a house or flat or which has potential to become residential accommodation, please get in touch.

The Empty Property Officer provides an empty property surgery, where you can discuss any empty property issues. Please use the contact details below to arrange a suitable time.

Contact

Empty Property Officer
Islington Council
Room 111
Town Hall
Upper Street
London N1 2UD
Tel: 020 7527 6081 or 020 7527 6073
email: empty.property@islington.gov.uk

For more information about our work involving Empty Property, click on the documents linked below or visit the North London Sub Region Empty Property Initiative website, linked from the right handside of this page.