Empty homes in Leicester brought back into use

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More than 1,200 empty and derelict homes have been brought back into use since 2004, Leicester City Council has said.

The Empty Homes Team at the Labour-run council said they were working hard to reduce the 26,000-strong waiting list for homes.

The council can take on homes that have been empty for 18 months or more, under a five-year lease.

As a last resort, the council will use a compulsory purchase order.

Council advice

In the past 12 months, the council has worked to bring 151 properties back into use.

Carol Thompson, a member of the council's Empty Homes Team, said: "We bring empty properties in the private sector back into use.

"There are 26,000 people on the waiting list at the council which includes whole families, so there is an acute housing shortage in Leicester."

Ms Thompson added the council did not pay for the renovations but provided advice and support to property owners.

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