I have noticed a huge amount of empty, derelict looking properties in Sheffield. Many of which look like they would make a lovely home for someone. It seems such a shame that more and more of our green land is being released for development, when there is clearly a huge amount of land within our built up areas laying dormant. :(

House near me that has had newspaper up at the windows for at least a year. At a guess I think the owner died and who ever has to sell it or whoever has inherited it just hasn't done anything with it yet.

We did have until a few months ago, was "empty" for 18 months or more. Turns out was Cannabis Farm....:o:Dgot dawn raided...and now we have new neighbours. So there are many reasons property may appear to be empty..............

House near me that has had newspaper up at the windows for at least a year. At a guess I think the owner died and who ever has to sell it or whoever has inherited it just hasn't done anything with it yet.

You would think that the powers that be, would enforce some kind of time limit on a property being empty. IMO it is a waste of land, and doesn't do any favours for the surrounding properties.

I find it quite odd about how many empty boarded up council houses there are yet the waiting lists to get a house are so long. Perhaps council should pull their finger out, sort out what needs doing to these houses and actually let them out. I agree with you it is a waste

You would think that the powers that be, would enforce some kind of time limit on a property being empty. IMO it is a waste of land, and doesn't do any favours for the surrounding properties.

I thought that there was some talk about councils being able to compulsary purchase houses that have been empty for over a certain period of time.

Perhaps we can stop people from having cars that they don't use? Or clothes? Or teaspoons?

If a private individual or company owns something it is their business what they do with it if it doesn't affect anyone else's right to a quiet life.

Public housing is a different matter, but there are all sorts of reasons why something might be empty.

My ex house is empty because my ex moved out to avoid paying the mortgage. He selfishly moved across the road and claims housing benefit. House will either sell at auction or be repposessed. You did ask.

Perhaps we can stop people from having cars that they don't use? Or clothes? Or teaspoons?

If a private individual or company owns something it is their business what they do with it if it doesn't affect anyone else's right to a quiet life.

Public housing is a different matter, but there are all sorts of reasons why something might be empty.

I agree with that. I am talking about property that is allowed to get run down. This can lead to the spread of vermin, vandalism, un-invited house guests..... I Think you get the picture. ;)

According to a property prog on telly, some councils have dedicated departments for abandoned properties and work to assist the owners to bring them back into use. In extreme cases where they're endangering the fabric and stability of neighbouring houses or causing a public health hazard, they can be compulsorily purchased.

There's a shop on Chesterfield Road opposite the new Lidl that's been empty for years and getting more and more derelict. Apparently there a tree growing inside it! You see a lot of properties like that in the East End of London as well. Which given the price of property down there is incredible.

On a resent bus trip to town from woodhouse via a 22 service I counted 14 houses boarded up and what Ithink are 4 flats which I dont think have ever been occupied this is quiet normal in any area of council housing

WHY
Lets have some answers from these budding people who are trying to get our votes on thursday get them let and some rent paid on them the council must be losing a fortune which if they repaired some would help to repair some more and help the housing list

According to a property prog on telly, some councils have dedicated departments for abandoned properties and work to assist the owners to bring them back into use. In extreme cases where they're endangering the fabric and stability of neighbouring houses or causing a public health hazard, they can be compulsorily purchased.

There's a shop on Chesterfield Road opposite the new Lidl that's been empty for years and getting more and more derelict. Apparently there a tree growing inside it! You see a lot of properties like that in the East End of London as well. Which given the price of property down there is incredible.

Exactly! That just boggles my mind!!

On a resent bus trip to town from woodhouse via a 22 service I counted 14 houses boarded up and what Ithink are 4 flats which I dont think have ever been occupied this is quiet normal in any area of council housing

WHY
Lets have some answers from these budding people who are trying to get our votes on thursday get them let and some rent paid on them the council must be losing a fortune which if they repaired some would help to repair some more and help the housing list

Good luck with that one.

You are spot on though, the council must be loosing money hand over fist.

According to a property prog on telly, some councils have dedicated departments for abandoned properties and work to assist the owners to bring them back into use. In extreme cases where they're endangering the fabric and stability of neighbouring houses or causing a public health hazard, they can be compulsorily purchased.

There's a shop on Chesterfield Road opposite the new Lidl that's been empty for years and getting more and more derelict. Apparently there a tree growing inside it! You see a lot of properties like that in the East End of London as well. Which given the price of property down there is incredible.

I remember reading about a property in Burngreave that was compulsary purchased due to the owner letting it rot for years. I think the council in sheffield need to get their own house in order aswell as I have seen many council properties boarded up and they have knocked loads of properties down and not rebuilt them and the waiting list in sheffield is double the amount of properties the council have.

I have noticed a huge amount of empty, derelict looking properties in Sheffield. Many of which look like they would make a lovely home for someone. It seems such a shame that more and more of our green land is being released for development, when there is clearly a huge amount of land within our built up areas laying dormant. :(

Excellent ! :)

I remember reading about a property in Burngreave that was compulsary purchased due to the owner letting it rot for years. I think the council in sheffield need to get their own house in order aswell as I have seen many council properties boarded up and they have knocked loads of properties down and not rebuilt them and the waiting list in sheffield is double the amount of properties the council have.

What happened to the property when it had been compulsary purchased, was it then boarded up by the council and then left to rot even further?

Serious question.

My ex house is empty because my ex moved out to avoid paying the mortgage. He selfishly moved across the road and claims housing benefit. House will either sell at auction or be repposessed. You did ask.

I did ask, sorry. It gets my goat that he can claim housing benefit while owning a property! He should give someone else a chance!!.

Looks like this one (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=holme+lane+s6&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Holme+Ln,+Sheffield,+South+Yorkshire+S6,+Uni ted+Kingdom&ll=53.401588,-1.504204&spn=0,0.013325&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.401538,-1.504326&panoid=PGDsNQ_Luyux7AN3cyTZDg&cbp=12,348.75,,1,-3.12) has got all the original doors and windows and has never been painted since! I always thought it was abandonded when I pass it, but there's a satellite dish on it!

That's fantastic! It's still got the orginal front door! The house where time stood still. :)

Looks like this one (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=holme+lane+s6&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Holme+Ln,+Sheffield,+South+Yorkshire+S6,+Uni ted+Kingdom&ll=53.401588,-1.504204&spn=0,0.013325&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.401538,-1.504326&panoid=PGDsNQ_Luyux7AN3cyTZDg&cbp=12,348.75,,1,-3.12) has got all the original doors and windows and has never been painted since! I always thought it was abandonded when I pass it, but there's a satellite dish on it!

Perhaps the council think that any property with one of those modern satellite dish's on them, is still lived in! :hihi:

I thought that there was some talk about councils being able to compulsary purchase houses that have been empty for over a certain period of time.

Councils can do lots of things to bring empty houses back into use. Here's what Sheffield is doing: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/housing-services/private-sector-housing/empty-properties

What happened to the property when it had been compulsary purchased, was it then boarded up by the council and then left to rot even further?

Serious question.

I don't know what happend to it but the story was in the Star paper and it did say that the property would be done up to be rented out.
Just found this link to the purchase order by the council=
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-council/council-meetings/cabinet/agendas-2008/agenda-10th-september-2008/97-burngreave-road

Councils can do lots of things to bring empty houses back into use. Here's what Sheffield is doing: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/housing-services/private-sector-housing/empty-properties
Has anyone actually had experience of this in their area? or is this just another "policy to make us look good,but will never be carried out".

Councils can do lots of things to bring empty houses back into use. Here's what Sheffield is doing: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/housing-services/private-sector-housing/empty-propertiesHope they're practising what they preach. As someone said, there often seems to be council properties standing empty for ages.

Im told that in Holland, if a property has been empty for 18 mths without good reason, the Government can take it back. This would certainly stop landlords from running properties down.

Hope they're practising what they preach. As someone said, there often seems to be council properties standing empty for ages.

The link refers to private property and they do take action sometimes: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Who39d-live-in-a-house.2095191.jp

Has anyone actually had experience of this in their area? or is this just another "policy to make us look good,but will never be carried out".

I haven't. I have heard rumours about certain people taking back handers from developers in my area, to allow for new development on green sites though.

I find it quite odd about how many empty boarded up council houses there are yet the waiting lists to get a house are so long. Perhaps council should pull their finger out, sort out what needs doing to these houses and actually let them out. I agree with you it is a waste

I drove down Bellhouse Road at Shiregreen the other day and from the round a bout to Ecclesfield Road I counted 9 boarded up houses. Now in case you dont know the street I would guess there is about 70 houses on that strip I mentioned.. I only made a point of counting them as I have noticed a lot of houses that I know have been boarded up for a few months, and I was recently bidding on a council house but gave up as I thought I would be waiting too long as I have no priority. The turn around needs to be a lot quicker, instead of been sat empty waiting for a new kitchen. I am sure the homeless of Sheffield would make do fine with the existing one....

I have noticed a huge amount of empty, derelict looking properties in Sheffield. Many of which look like they would make a lovely home for someone. It seems such a shame that more and more of our green land is being released for development, when there is clearly a huge amount of land within our built up areas laying dormant. :(

Always seems to be a lot of boarded up houses in Parson Cross.

Squatters all over Sheffield will be very grateful for this thread. :thumbsup:

Squatters all over Sheffield will be very grateful for this thread. :thumbsup:

Good luck to them, just hope they can still get internet connetion.

I think there should be some sort of control over how people look after their properties...we all have to live with looking at their eyesores! How hard is it to keep a house and garden clean and tidy??

Heya, I've just read through this thread and it's really interesting to see the views you all have on vacant property. At the moment I am trying to find people who would be happy to take part in a short interview for my research on vacant property and squatting. It'll only take about 10 minutes so if anyone is interested please message me! Thank you :)