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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 2 November 2007

‘Tell us if the neighbours let their house lie empty’

13,000 people on waiting list, but 1,000 homes remain vacant

THE Town Hall is urging residents to spy on neighbours who leave their homes empty for more than six months.
There are more than 1,130 empty private homes in Islington at a time when more than 13,000 people are on the council’s housing waiting list.
Neighbours are being asked to report to the council any properties left empty for long periods of time.
In a further move, owners of empty properties are being offered grants of up to £85,000 to spend on repairs.
The council hopes to persuade them to rent their properties out through a Town Hall scheme under which they receive a guaranteed rental income, usually for three years.
Home-owners who refuse to bring empty properties back into use can have their homes compulsorily seized.
Lib Dem housing chief Councillor Terry Stacy said: “In the last three years this council cut the number of empty homes in Islington by 16 per cent. The borough is facing a chronic shortage of housing and we won’t let homes sit empty without good reason.”
Repair grants are available if a home has been empty for more than a year and it does not meet the Decent Homes standard.
The council is introducing an annual street survey of empty homes, and plans to cut the number of properties vacant for more than six months by 80 a year.
Cllr Stacy said: “Demand outstrips supply and people must have a realistic expectation of the amount of social housing available. The private sector has an important role to play in helping us meet demand as long as we can ensure it is good-quality accommodation.
“We want this to be a mutually beneficial arrangement that helps fulfil our obligation as a housing provider, puts money in landlords’ pockets and people in homes.”
But Labour’s shadow housing spokeswoman Councillor Barbara Sidnell said the Lib Dems were now admitting they will not build enough social housing to end Islington’s homes shortage.
“Private rents in Islington are sky-high and most people on the waiting list will never be able to afford thousands of pounds a month to live there,” she said.
“If the Liberals think people on the waiting list can afford that, then they are completely out of touch.
“We need more affordable housing, but because the Liberal Democrats won’t meet Ken Livingstone’s target Islington’s families are losing out.”
To report an empty home or find out more about empty property grants,
call 0207 527 3045.

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