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Gedling Borough Council showcases work on empty homes for National Empty Homes Week

Date Posted: 1:05 PM on Mon, 3 March 2025

As part of National Empty Homes Week 2025, Gedling Borough Council is highlighting the vital work it does to bring long-term empty properties back into use. With a dedicated Empty Homes Officer, the council is committed to tackling the issue of vacant homes and ensuring they contribute to the local housing supply.

A long-term empty property is defined as one that has been unoccupied for six months or more. While some of these properties may appear derelict, many look lived-in and well-maintained, making it crucial for residents to report any suspected empty homes. The Empty Homes Officer can then investigate and work with property owners to find solutions.

Gedling’s Commitment to Reducing Empty Homes

Gedling Borough has a long-term vacancy rate of 0.79%, which is below both the East Midlands average of 1.1% and the national rate of 1.03%. Similarly, second homes or furnished vacant properties in Gedling stand at just 0.31%, significantly lower than the regional average of 0.66% and the national average of 1.09%. While long-term vacant properties in Gedling increased by 5% in 2024, mirroring regional trends, the council remains committed to reducing this figure.

Total vacancy in the borough is currently 1,652 properties equivalent to 3.3% of all homes, which is lower than the national average of 3.9%. Gedling Borough Council actively monitors these figures and works to bring as many empty homes as possible back into use.

Why Homes Remain Empty and How the Council Helps

There are many reasons why properties remain empty, including sentimental attachment, probate issues, financial difficulties, or waiting to pass the home on to a beneficiary. The council works directly with homeowners to provide practical solutions, including:

  • Property Matchmaker Scheme – Connecting empty homeowners with investors who can purchase or lease properties for refurbishment.
  • Property Consultants – Expert advice and bespoke solutions to help owners sell or renovate their homes.
  • Lendology Loans – Low-interest loans for owners of empty homes struggling financially to refurbish their properties.

In 2023/2024, the council successfully brought 114 empty properties back into use, with some homes having been vacant for over 26 years. That number continues to increase with the hard work of Gedling Borough Council’s dedicated Empty Homes Officer. When homeowners are unwilling to engage, the council has legal tools at its disposal, including Compulsory Purchase Orders, Empty Dwelling Management Orders, and Enforced Sales.

The Benefits of Bringing Empty Homes Back into Use

National Empty Homes Week promotes the opportunities available through reoccupying vacant homes, rather than just focusing on new housing developments. Bringing empty homes back into use is beneficial in multiple ways:

  • Faster Housing Solutions – Most empty homes require only minor work to be reoccupied, offering a quicker way to boost local housing supply.
  • A Greener Alternative – Retrofitting existing homes reduces carbon costs compared to new construction, helping Gedling meet sustainability goals.
  • Healthier Communities – Warm, safe homes improve residents' well-being, reduce costs to the NHS, and help councils cut expenses related to temporary accommodation.

Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy, Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth said: “I am incredibly proud of the work that Gedling Borough Council is doing to tackle the issue of long-term empty homes. Our dedicated team has already helped bring over a hundred properties back into use, providing much-needed housing for local people while improving our communities. The results we are achieving demonstrate our commitment to making the most of our existing housing stock, supporting homeowners, and ensuring that every home is put to good use. We will continue to work tirelessly to reduce the number of empty homes in Gedling, creating a borough where everyone has access to safe, secure, and sustainable housing”

Gedling Borough Council remains committed to tackling long-term vacant properties, ensuring that housing is available for those who need it while maintaining vibrant, thriving communities.

Residents who suspect a property is empty can report it to the council’s Empty Homes Officer by calling 0115 9013826 or email nicola.bryant@gedling.gov.uk.