A recent press release from South Tyneside Council captures the excellent work being done in the area through the use of Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs), and is reproduced below:
More neglected properties have been given a new lease of life by South Tyneside Council.
Privately owned houses which have fallen into disrepair have been seized by the council and renovated so they can be brought back into use.
Last year, 11 properties in the St Paul’s area of Jarrow were given a facelift and are now all rented out to tenants.
The transformations were carried out using Empty Dwelling Management Orders. Under the scheme, derelict homes are refurbished using government and council funding and then rented out to local people with the council acting as ‘landlord’.
Now six more properties have been identified across the Borough, with two already completed.
Councillor Allan West, Lead Member for Housing and Transport, said: “The properties we target have all have been empty for over two years and have often been the subject of neighbourhood complaints.
“They’ve been left unoccupied, which has an effect on the appearance of an area as well as attracting anti-social behaviour, crime and vandalism.
“We transform them into affordable family homes which benefit the whole community.”
Ward councillors Ken Stephenson, Jim Perry and Moira Smith have commended the ongoing work.
Cllr Stephenson said: “Empty, neglected homes can really drag neighbourhoods down and this work makes a big difference.
“The cost of the renovations is all recovered from the rental income and is ploughed back into other properties in need of refurbishment so it is an ongoing process.”
The houses benefit from works including new roofs, replacement of windows and doors and new kitchens and bathrooms.
They are also fitted with a highly efficient heating system, loft and wall insulation and low energy light bulbs ensuring they are extremely efficient and cost effective.
When the council identifies a property which is causing problems they can apply for an EDMO to take control of it for seven years, after which it can be returned to the owner or the order could be extended.
Jimmy Robertson, Chairman of St Paul’s Road area residents’ association, said: “I’ve liaised with the council about this issue for several years so it’s great to see how the whole community is reaping the benefits of the work.
“Improving derelict properties makes it a much more desirable and secure place to live as well as having a positive impact on house prices.”
If you are the owner of an empty property and would like further information on EDMOs or advice on what help is available to you, or you would like to report an unoccupied property, please contact the empty property team on 0191 424 6557. Picture shows Jimmy Robertson, Chair of St Paul’s Road area residents’ association (foreground) with Cllr Allan West outside a refurbished property. Picture Credit: South Tyneside Council.
Privately owned houses which have fallen into disrepair have been seized by the council and renovated so they can be brought back into use.
Last year, 11 properties in the St Paul’s area of Jarrow were given a facelift and are now all rented out to tenants.
The transformations were carried out using Empty Dwelling Management Orders. Under the scheme, derelict homes are refurbished using government and council funding and then rented out to local people with the council acting as ‘landlord’.
Now six more properties have been identified across the Borough, with two already completed.
Councillor Allan West, Lead Member for Housing and Transport, said: “The properties we target have all have been empty for over two years and have often been the subject of neighbourhood complaints.
“They’ve been left unoccupied, which has an effect on the appearance of an area as well as attracting anti-social behaviour, crime and vandalism.
“We transform them into affordable family homes which benefit the whole community.”
Ward councillors Ken Stephenson, Jim Perry and Moira Smith have commended the ongoing work.
Cllr Stephenson said: “Empty, neglected homes can really drag neighbourhoods down and this work makes a big difference.
“The cost of the renovations is all recovered from the rental income and is ploughed back into other properties in need of refurbishment so it is an ongoing process.”
The houses benefit from works including new roofs, replacement of windows and doors and new kitchens and bathrooms.
They are also fitted with a highly efficient heating system, loft and wall insulation and low energy light bulbs ensuring they are extremely efficient and cost effective.
When the council identifies a property which is causing problems they can apply for an EDMO to take control of it for seven years, after which it can be returned to the owner or the order could be extended.
Jimmy Robertson, Chairman of St Paul’s Road area residents’ association, said: “I’ve liaised with the council about this issue for several years so it’s great to see how the whole community is reaping the benefits of the work.
“Improving derelict properties makes it a much more desirable and secure place to live as well as having a positive impact on house prices.”
If you are the owner of an empty property and would like further information on EDMOs or advice on what help is available to you, or you would like to report an unoccupied property, please contact the empty property team on 0191 424 6557. Picture shows Jimmy Robertson, Chair of St Paul’s Road area residents’ association (foreground) with Cllr Allan West outside a refurbished property. Picture Credit: South Tyneside Council.