March

2009
THE EMPTY HOMES AGENCY
Monthly News Bulletin

Empty Homes Agency, Downstream Building, 1 London Bridge, London, SE1 9BG
Tel: 020 7022 1870 Email: shashi.ioannides@emptyhomes.com
Statements in this newsletter are for guidance only and the Empty Homes Agency will not accept
liability for losses resulting from reliance on them. Professional advice should always be obtained.
Table of Contents

1 A Word….
2 Press Release: Housing rules 'should be relaxed to allow people
to move into ... Telegraph, 14th February 2009
3 Press Release: Opposition Parties Join Empty Homes Fight ...
Inside Housing, 20th February 2009
4 Press Release: Minister Backs Action On Empty Homes ...
Inside Housing, 10th March 2009
5 Event: Tackling Empty Homes – 23rd March 2009
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1
A Word…
David Ireland, Chief Executive
There are plenty of times over the last few years when I wouldn’t have believed it possible, but
last month the Financial Times reported the Conservative leader crusading against empty
homes. It had strange echoes of the Conservative backed Crusade against EDMOS two years
ago. But this time the Conservative empty property rescue scheme launched in February is
offering really positive ideas about getting homes back into use. Recognising that stringent
rules are sometimes the problem, they advocated temporarily relaxing design and quality
standards to enable vacant homes to be used as social housing.

But they are not alone both the government and the Liberal Democrats have made major
announcements on empty homes. A few days after the Conservative announcement the
Liberal Democrats announced their proposals advocating a repair and renewal loan scheme
for empty property owners, reductions in VAT on rennovation of empty homes and a £40
million fund for short-life housing.

The government can rightly claim that it has already introduced measures to bring empty
homes back into use, even it was a few years ago. The problem is, the use of Empty Dwelling
Management Orders has hardly been overwhelimng. We know of just eighteen in two and a
half years. So it was great to see Margaret Beckett endorsing our new EDMO guidance earlier
this month and calling on councils to use them more. She has promissed to write to every
council in England to ask them to do more.

Whilst all three parties are advocating different approaches, what is clear is that everybody
now agrees something more needs to be done to bring empty homes back into use. They are
right: housing associations should seize the oppurtunity and buy up run down empty homes.
Over the last few years many have begun to believe that they are just big property developers.
But we know housing associatiosn can play a huge role in local regeneration. The
Conservative and Liberal Democrat proposals would assist. Crucially they recognise that
regerneation is not just about big long-term schemes. Local temporary-use can be just as
important in maintaining and helping to improve neighbourhoods. The governemnt is right too.
Councils have a huge role. Some have taken their eye off the ball in reecnt years, but
hopefully the minister’s announcement will be a useful reminder of what should be done.

David Ireland
Chief Executive
Empty Homes Agency
Tel: 020 7022 1867
Email: david.ireland@emptyhomes.com

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2
Press Release: Housing rules
'should be relaxed to allow
people to move into ... Telegraph,
14th February 2009

Housing rules should be relaxed to allow people to

move into empty homes, the Conservatives have
said. By James Kirkup, Political Correspondent
David Cameron said that Labour's rules have contributed to a sharp rise in the
housing lists. Almost 1.8 million families are now registered as requiring permanent
accommodation.

The Daily Telegraph disclosed this week that the number of properties in Britain lying
empty is set to pass 1 million as the recession takes its toll on mortgage borrowers
and buy-to-let investors.

Mr Cameron said: "At this incredibly difficult time, it's vital that we focus our resources
on helping families and people struggling at the sharp end of this recession. But we
must do so in a way that is consistent with the long-term economic and social change
Britain needs.

"That's why the Conservatives will temporarily relax Labour's stringent rules and
regulations making it easier for the affordable housing sector to bring some of the one
million empty homes in the UK into use.

The Tories say they would encourage housing associations and other housing groups
to bring empty properties back into use, including allowing more short term tenancy
agreements of 3 to 5 years.

Housing charities welcomed the plan.

David Ireland Chief Executive of the Empty Homes Agency said: " These proposals
would give a real boost to housing associations and enable then to be much more
active in buying and renovating run down empty homes."

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"With the housing market now too weak to tackle the problem alone it is vital that
housing associations get back to what they are best at creating affordable homes
through regenerating neighbourhoods"

The Conservatives also want to partially suspend Design and Quality Standard
requirements for existing empty homes to allow people to move into houses that
would not currently be permitted.

That proposal came under attack from the liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister,
Sarah Teather.

She said: "This shows just how out of touch the Tories are.

"They have no idea of what it's like for a family living in a social home. Lowering the
standards in this way will condemn families to living in cramped or drafty homes for 15
or 20 years as they wait to be re-housed."

Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps said he hoped ministers would adopt some of
the Tory plans. "We urge the Government to follow our lead and help those families
desperate for a home."

Labour responded by accusing the Tories of hypocrisy, pointing out that the
Conservatives had opposed the 2006 Empty Dwelling Management Scheme, which
allows councils to maintain private properties if they stand empty for for six months.

Press Release: Opposition

Parties Join Empty Homes
Fight ... Inside Housing, 20th
February 2009
By Caroline Thorpe
The government is facing increased pressure to take action against empty homes
after the Liberal Democrats became the second opposition party in a week to
announce plans to tackle the UK’s burgeoning vacant stock.

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Lib Dem communities spokesperson Sarah Teather made the announcement,

advocating a repair and renewal loan scheme for empty property owners and a £40
million fund for short-life housing (see box).

Echoing Inside Housing’s own Empty Promise campaign, Ms Teather also proposed
making VAT for renovating homes the same as for building new ones - possibly
dropping to 5 per cent.

The plans follows hot on the heels of the Conservative Party’s empty property rescue
scheme, announced by leader David Cameron last Friday.

The Tory strategy, which would temporarily relax design and quality standards to
enable vacant homes to be used as social housing, drew criticism from housing
professionals.

‘Many housing associations would be interested in new opportunities to renovate and

manage these homes,’ said David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing
Federation.

‘However, the economic downturn must not weaken our resolve to drive up
environmental and quality standards,’ he added.

The pledges to act on empty homes came as Inside Housing’s Empty Promise
campaign to tackle vacant properties gained momentum. More than 100 people have
signed a petition backing the campaign. Inside Housing is demanding the government
cut VAT on repairs to 5 per cent, provide clearer guidance for councils on using empty
dwellings management orders and offer social landlords grant to buy and repair empty
properties.

David Ireland, chief executive of the Empty Homes Agency, said the campaign helped
persuade opposition parties to speak out on the issue.

‘I’m really pleased [with the announcements], but they have still not gone all the way.
Both [parties] are a bit light on incentives for local authorities,’ he said.

Inside Housing is running a campaign calling for empty homes to be brought back into
use. For more information see our campaign page. You can express your support by
signing our petition or emailing emptypromise@insidehousing.co.uk

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4
Press Release: Minister Backs
Action On Empty Homes ... Inside
Housing, 10th March 2009

By Tom Lloyd
Housing minister Margaret Beckett has backed an ‘increased focus’ on bringing empty
homes back into use.

In the foreword to a guide published with the Empty Homes Agency, Ms Beckett
writes: ‘I believe that with an increased focus and more consistent approach, we can
bring even more homes back into use, making an essential contribution to the supply
of affordable housing.

‘With house building slowing in the current challenging economic climate, that is more
important than ever.’

The guide makes it clear that local authorities should attempt to track down the
owners of empty properties, using professional search agencies if necessary. It also
explains how to use empty dwelling management orders to take control of a property if
the owner is not cooperating.

EDMOs were introduced in 2006, but have been used less than 20 times. They allow
local authorities to take over the management of an empty property to bring it back
into use.

The guidance says they should be used as a last resort, and notes that the threat of
an EDMO can often be effective. But it also gives examples of where orders have
been used successfully, and advice on how they can work.

Ms Beckett said: ‘The new guidance helps strengthen the role of councils by setting
out the broad powers they have to deal with empty homes, and is part of the range of
actions we are taking to support the regeneration of our towns and cities.’

Empty Homes Agency chief executive David Ireland said: ‘Local authorities have the
power to be great at helping return empty homes to use. Some already are, but with
the recession causing more homes to fall empty it has never been more important for
all councils to do more.

‘New homes from empty properties can help meet some of the need left by falling
house building rates. I’m delighted that the minister is supporting this guidance and
urge local authorities to take her challenge to take more proactive action.’

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Inside Housing is running a campaign calling for empty homes to be brought back into
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use. For more information see our campaign page. You can express your support by
signing our petition or emailing emptypromise@insidehousing.co.uk

Events: Tackling Empty Homes – 23rd

March 2009
“With approaching a million empty homes in the UK now is the perfect time for housing associations to be buying
and renovating empty homes…Not only would this help provide the social homes we need, but it boosts
employment for builders…and helps regenerate the areas where ordinary people live.”

David Ireland, Chief Executive, Empty Homes Agency (25th November 2008)

Capita’s 4th Tackling Empty Homes Conference, supported by the Empty Homes Agency, provides
expert guidance on the challenges brought about by empty properties. With the number of families on
social housing waiting lists set to increase in the current economic downturn, bringing these properties
back into use is essential in addressing the national shortage of affordable homes.

Case studies from leading practitioners will address:

• Maintaining the regeneration of empty homes in a recession

• Practical tips for effective communication with owners of empty properties
• Understanding the legislative options available to you and the best time to use them
• How to effectively deliver your empty homes strategy

This must-attend event is designed for all those involved in dealing with empty properties. Hear the
latest strategic developments and practical guidance to apply to your own organisation and local areas.

Speakers include:

• David Ireland, Chief Executive, Empty Homes Agency (EHA)

• Sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive, Homes and Communities Agency
• Matthew Smith, Principal Enforcement Officer, Private Sector Empty Property Team, Birmingham
City Council,
• Henry Oliver, Policy Advisor, EHA

For further details on this event or it’s accompanying half day briefing on Sustainable Regeneration of
Empty Properties – Capita Conferences Tuesday 24th March 2009 – A Half Day Briefing contact 0207
960 7711 or email ben.aslet@capita.co.uk.

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Alternatively visit:http://www.capitaconferences.co.uk/NR/rdonlyres/298C9A97-1D44-4C3F-956E-
C8D380ECE5CE/0/MKEHATacklingEmptyHomes.pdf