Landlords could be forced to rent out empty shops

The policy allows councils to auction the rights to rent out certain vacant properties in town centres to new tenants

A council is consulting on plans to force landlords to rent out vacant shops in a bid to reduce the number of empty properties on the high street.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said it could use High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) powers to bring "persistently vacant high street properties" back into use.

The policy allows councils to auction the rights to rent out certain vacant properties in town centres to new tenants.

Council leader Anne Handley said: "Our high streets are at the heart of our communities, and we are taking proactive steps to tackle long-term vacancies and support local prosperity."

Under the scheme, local authorities have the power to require landlords to rent out properties that have been continuously unoccupied for 12 months, or at least 366 non-continuous days within a 24-month period.

Landlords would also be obliged to pay to bring the premises up to a minimum standard, but may be able to access government grants in areas of high vacancy rates.

The authority has identified all of the East Riding's high streets currently designated as retail centres in the Local Plan as areas with scope for HSRA, and is asking for feedback from the public.

It said that although many local high streets were thriving, it was important to aim for a consistent approach.

"Our first priority is always to work with landlords and businesses to find voluntary solutions, but we are ready to use these new powers where necessary to benefit our towns and communities," Handley added.

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