Help get empty homes back into use (From thisisoxfordshire)

Help get empty homes back into use

6:00pm Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News

VIEWS are being sought on how empty and run-down homes should be managed by Oxford City Council.

The authority has opened a six-question survey to help inform how it manages the properties.

The questionnaire asks for peoples’ experiences in finding a property, whether they know of any empty homes and its views on council powers.

It comes after the council and other county authorities moved to slash council tax discounts on empty and second homes.

The city council is to add a 50 per cent premium on council tax bills on empty homes to get more back into use.

It will also cut the 100 per cent discounts on homes empty for more than six months to 25 per cent and end a full discount for empty repossessed homes.

Deputy leader Ed Turner recently said: “Rather than bashing the poorest in our city, or cutting services, it is right that Oxford’s broadest shoulders should bear the biggest burden, and that includes owners of second and empty homes.”

Yet fears were raised the changes would see landlords pass on extra charges to tenants.

The questionnaire is available until February 1 at consultation.oxford.gov.uk