Decision

To
approve and publish an Empty Homes Plan 2025-29.

Reasons for the decision

Empty and derelict homes have
an adverse effect on neighbourhoods. They are often unsightly and
can attract crime and anti-social behaviour such as squatting,
arson, graffiti and fly-tipping. They may also affect the value of
neighbouring properties by creating an impression of neglect and
decline within a community. Such properties are not only eyesores
and a source of neighbourhood distress, they are most significantly
a wasted resource in a time of ever growing housing demand. Many
people cannot access good housing, yet many homes stand
vacant.
 
Homes that have been empty for
more than six months are of concern, and these are known as long
term empty homes. The council’s Empty Homes team is committed
to taking action whenever possible to help bring them back into
use. Council intervention helps increase overall housing supply and
reduces the negative environmental and economic effects that empty
homes have on neighbourhoods.
 
The Empty Homes Plan 2025-29
sets out the background to empty homes in Thanet, highlights the
main ways in which the council can intervene, and explores the
opportunities that could be employed to help reduce the number of
long term empty homes in Thanet. 
 
The reasons for approving and
publishing the Empty Homes Plan 2025-29 are:
 

To help guide the work of the Empty Homes team,
and

To be open and transparent about the council’s
intended interventions in respect of empty homes in
Thanet.

 
A draft version of the Empty
Homes Plan 2025-29 was presented to and recommended by the Housing
Cabinet Advisory Group on 05 March 2025.

Alternative options considered

The Empty Homes Plan 2025-29
provides operational guidance to the Empty Homes team and sets out
the council’s approach to tackling empty homes. Without a
plan, the Empty Homes team would lack direction and there would be
a lack of openness and transparency. Not having a plan is therefore
not considered to be in the public interest.