Empty Properties

The Council has an Empty Property Strategy (2006-2008) that sets out how the local authority proposes to reduce the number of long-term empty homes in the North Dorset area.

Empty properties deny homes to those in housing need, can attract crime and antisocial behaviour, are a visual ‘eyesore’ and a wasted asset for the owner.

The Council has grant assistance available to owners of long term empty properties to bring them back into use for affordable rented accommodation.

For buildings that have been vacant for at least 6 months, the maximum grant to return them to use as a single dwelling is £10,000 of the grant eligible works.

Eligible works include those works necessary to ensure that the accommodation achieves the Decent Homes Standard.

It is a condition of the above grants that the property owners are accredited in accordance with the North Dorset District Council Landlord Accreditation Scheme and provide the Council with full tenant nomination rights for no less than 3 years.

Other eligibility and grant conditions apply and further details can be obtained from the Environmental Protection and Private Sector Housing Team.