Council offers empty home owners support

The council says empty properties attract antisocial behaviour and vandalism

A Kent council says it is working closely with property owners to turn its empty homes back into use.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council says it has filled 76 empty homes which had been left empty for six months or more.

According to the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government, there were 489 vacant homes in the borough in 2023.

A council spokesperson said houses left unoccupied for a long time often fall into disrepair and can attract vandalism or criminal behaviour, as well as dent neighbouring property values.

The current number of empty homes, as of the end of 2024, stands at 413.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council cabinet member for housing, Kim Tanner, said: "These figures are good to see and come after months of hard work and collaboration between internal teams at the council and property owners.

"We know there's a high demand for places to live in the borough and by working together we are helping to maximise the use of housing stock, which is good for local people, our communities and local economy.

"There's always more we can do, but we are pleased this initiative has helped to release new housing and help many people find a place they can call home."

Council tax is still payable on empty properties in the borough and there is a premium council tax rate for those left uninhabited for more than a year, the council says.

At the end of 2024, there are a total of 7,500 properties vacant for six months or more in Kent, the government figures show.