Trafford Council issues call-out for empty homes

Across Greater Manchester, 12,824 homes have been unoccupied for more than six months. In Trafford, a total of 1,262 properties fall into this category. 

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has launched the Empty Homes and Leasing Scheme, with almost £500,000 funding for Trafford.

Trafford will have two empty homes officers targeting empty and unused property in Trafford to bring longer-term empty homes back into use.

And the Council is calling on property owners with empty homes to make accommodation available to ease the local housing shortage.

Property owners in Trafford with any empty houses or flats are urged to consider leasing to the Council. Appropriate repair grant funding will also be available.

The Council must show financial and social return on its investments under the scheme and owners will be expected to maintain their property.

Cllr George Devlin, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Advice, said: 

“There is a national shortage of good-quality accommodation for those who need it, yet there are many homes sitting empty.

“The Council wants to talk to people whose relatives have passed away leaving property and those with second homes who may no longer want or need them as well as private and social landlords, and people who have become ‘accidental landlords’ through other circumstances.

 

“We will look at barriers to occupation such as delays with inheritance and the condition of empty homes then come up with case-by-case solutions.”

To be eligible for the initiative, homes must have been empty for six months or more. Two or three-bedroom homes will be most in demand.

Anyone who owns or knows of empty property that could be included in this initiative can contact estates@trafford.gov.uk.