Maidenhead & Windsor

An eyesore derelict property in Forlease Road, Maidenhead, has been transformed and renovated after standing empty for more than seven years – following a "jumpstart" by the Royal Borough as part of its innovative empty homes strategy.

The four-bedroom detached house on the corner of Forlease Road and Cedars Road, Maidenhead is set to be the 25th borough property to be brought back into habitable use in the first successful 12 months since the scheme's launch last December.

Currently 83 more empty Maidenhead properties have been prioritised for action under the strategy which aims to bring empty homes back into productive use by working with owners to provide advice, guidance and encouragement – 68 of which are on course for a satisfactory conclusion, and 15 which still need the cooperation of the owners.

The process of bringing an empty property back into use is seldom quick and easy. It is often necessary to trace the absent owner and, even if we can secure immediate agreement, repairs and renovations can often take many months to complete.

Where efforts to encourage the owner to bring the property back into use have failed, and where properties have deteriorated to the point of being dangerous, or are detrimental to the amenity of the area, the strategy enables Maidenhead council officers to take enforcement action such as:
· empty dwellings management orders (from April 6 next year) – to nominate a housing association to take over and manage long-term empty properties
· enforced sale procedures – as has occurred twice this year resulting in the recovery of a total of £14,000 in unpaid council tax and other debts
· compulsory purchase orders – usually a last resort but available to use to resolve the problem of long-term empty and deteriorating properties.

Maidenhead Cllr Simon Werner, lead member for public protection, said: "The success of the strategy underlines our total commitment to bringing long-term empty and derelict homes back into use – and we are absolutely delighted to have had so many good outcomes in the first year.

"We understand that there will always be a number of vacant homes as people move, but the problem arises when properties are allowed to become derelict and unsightly and a magnet for vandals and petty criminals – and have a detrimental effect on the environment and local communities. The empty homes strategy allows us to step in to work with owners to try to resolve problems and bring houses back into a habitable state.

"The Forlease Road house is a really good example of a property which has benefited from the strategy. It is on a prominent corner site and had been the subject of numerous complaints. Our housing projects officer was able to become involved and jumpstart the process to secure the sale of the house which allowed the renovation work to begin."

For further information about the council's empty homes strategy contact Martyn Clemence, Maidenhead housing projects officer, on 01628 683596.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead ~ 19-Dec-2005