Empty privately-owned residential properties in Enfield could be refurbished and used by residents in need of a home.
You can help by reporting empty homes to us.
It could be a house or flat, or another type of property that could become residential accommodation. You can also report private properties with squatters.
Report an empty home
Empty homes are targets for anti-social and criminal behaviour.
If you own, live near, or know of an empty property, you can report it online.
Report an empty private property
Do you own an empty home?
If you own an empty residential property, contact us for advice.
Support from us
There are several ways (below) you can get support to make the home liveable.
For example, we could pay some of your refurbishment costs and claim that money back through rents.
Empty home council tax premium
While helping others find a home, you could avoid the empty home council tax premium. This is a higher council tax rate for unoccupied and unfurnished homes. The premium is currently up to four times the normal council tax rate (depending on how long the home has been left empty).
Enforcing our legal duties to deal with empty homes
As part of our legal duties to bring empty homes back into use, we prefer to work with homeowners.
Homeowners must give a valid reason for the current state of the property. They must also show what they are doing about the empty home.
If they fail to do so, we could:
- make an empty dwelling management order (EDMO) to ensure the home ‘becomes and continues to be occupied’ (Housing Act 2004)
- make a compulsory purchase order (CPO) if we have failed to encourage an owner to bring the property back into use (Housing Act 1985). Once we receive approval from the Secretary of State, we own the property. We could then sell the property.
We could also:
- serve a repair notice on the property for the owner to make repairs within a specific period. If they fail to comply, we can carry out the work and charge the owner.
- enforce a sale when there is an outstanding debt owed to us. We can then take possession of the property and sell it.
Assistance for empty property owners
Lower VAT for some renovations
Has the property been empty for at least two years? If you are renovating the home, your renovations might be eligible for a reduced rate of VAT (5%). This could substantially lower your costs.
Our seamless project management
If your empty property can be let, you could get a steady rental income. We can offer seamless project management to make your property ready to let.
This might include:
- writing a schedule of work for required renovations
- tendering the works to approved contractors
- monitoring the works to completion
Interest-free payment for certain renovations
We could offer to pay the cost of some of the empty home’s renovations.
You wouldn’t pay us interest on the money you owe us.
Also, the repayment would be taken from the rent. This means you would get reduced rent payments until the works costs have been repaid.
In return, you would have to agree to lease the home to a tenant chosen by the council for at least three years. During this time, you will receive guaranteed rent and a full management service.
Renting out your property
If you are actively trying to rent out your empty property, tell us. We could offer you advice to let the home sooner.
Rental and leasing schemes
There are several schemes to encourage owners to make use of empty properties.
For example, you could help us house more of our residents and get:
- guaranteed rent when you sign up for one of our home leasing schemes
- an upfront payment as part of our Landlord Incentive Scheme
Selling your property
For a fast, chain-free, cash-buyer service, you could sell your property to us.
Lists of empty properties
Under the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act, we don’t publish lists of empty properties.
For more information about empty homes, you can visit Action on Empty Homes or the Empty Homes Network.
How to contact us
To contact our Empty Property team, please email empty.property@enfield.gov.uk.