Open and derelict properties

Empty properties

There are privately owned properties lying empty in Tower Hamlets.  There is an undoubted housing need in Tower Hamlets and these vacant properties could provide much needed accommodation.  Many of these properties are in a neglected state and have a damaging effect in the areas in which they are located.

What are we doing about it?

The empty property team try to trace the owners and then encourage them to bring their properties back into use.  Tracing the owners can sometimes be very time consuming but when we do, we have a variety of leasing schemes that we can offer.  We also have a list of developers who have contacted us, and we can sometimes offer grants to help with renovation costs.  We can also help to reduce the public health impact of empty properties, by boarding up properties, removing rubbish, or arranging pest control officers to visit. 

Encouraging the owners to bring their properties back into use is high priority for the council, but where that fails we will apply to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to compulsory purchase long-term vacant properties.

Report an empty property

In order to bring empty privately owned homes back into use, we need the help of the public to identify all empty properties in the borough.

Please contact us;

• If you own, live next door to or simply know of an empty property, which is either a house or flat or which has potential to become residential accommodation.
  
  
• If you know of any vacant or unsecured houses.
  
  
• If you are a developer and you would like your details to be sent to owners of empty properties in our information pack.
   
  
• If you would like information on a specific property you have seen in the Borough.

Contact details

For further information contact our empty property officers

Jill Embleton
0207 364 0821

Charlotte Ward
0207 364 0817 

Email: emptyproperty@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Further information

• Tax allowances for renovation of empty properties
  
• Tax allowances for conversions of flats over shops
• London Borough of Tower Hamlets Empty Property Grants
• Communities and Local Government website
• London Borough of Tower Hamlets Private Sector Housing Renewal Strategy
• London Landlords Accreditation Scheme

 

Pid No: 684