Industry News
Tougher action being allowed to tackle long term empty homes
Te Government is allowing local authorities to crack down harder on long term empty homes in an effort to force property owners into selling them or renting them out to local families. Since April, councils have been able to
charge a penalty, equivalent to another 100% of council tax when a property has been empty for 12 months, down from the current two years. Te change will potentially bring in millions of pounds more for spending on public services or in keeping overall council tax bills down. Te Department for Levelling Up Housing
and Communities has confirmed a very limited number of exceptions have been set out following a public consultation, which will ensure the changes are fair to homeowners. Tese will apply to: • Empty properties that are uninhabitable due to extensive renovation;
• Second homes that are not available for use all year-round due to planning restrictions; or
• For up to a year on homes that have been inherited to prevent families who are grieving from having to pay.
Te consultation response gives homeowners clarity so they can plan for the changes before they take effect, while councils will be able to budget for more to spend on public services. Minister for Local Government Simon
Hoare said: “Long term empty properties are shutting local families and young people out of the housing market as they are being denied the opportunity to rent or buy in their own community.’ “So, we are taking action as part of our
long-term plan for housing. Tat means delivering more of the right homes in the right places and giving councils more powers to help give local people the homes they need.” Tis follows reforms to give councils
greater power to control short-term lets by making them subject to the planning process which will protect people from being pushed out of their local areas, preventing a “hollowing out” of communities and ensuring local people can continue to live in the place they call home. Government statistics published back in
November 2023, revealed that there were 261,189 long-term vacant properties in England, marking an increase of 12,556 empty homes compared to the previous year.
Building Safety Regulator launches campaign for residents of high-rise buildings
H
igh-rise building residents have more rights and protections than ever before with residents now able to check
if their high-rise building is registered with the safety regulator. Te Building Safety Regulator is tasked with
driving forward safety standards across the built environment with Te Building Safety Act 2022 at the centre of building safety reforms in England. Te new regulator is asking all those living in
tall buildings in England to be aware of how new Building Safety laws affect them. Tese laws protect and empower people living in high-rise residential buildings (HRBs) to take part in safety decisions that affect them – as well as providing a clear process for reporting safety concerns. Tis is a major milestone in the journey towards safer high-rise living, placing residents’ rights front and centre. Te Building Safety Act provides a framework
for ensuring the safety of residents living in HRBs – these are buildings 18 metres tall or seven or more floors in height containing at least two residential units. Tey are defined as ‘higher-risk’ under the Act. Residents of these buildings are urged to find out more about how the new law affects them. Every high-rise building is now required to have
a Principal Accountable Person (PAP), ensuring that those responsible for managing the building’s safety can be held to account for fulfilling their legal obligations. Te enhanced residents’ rights include:
• Assurance that safety risks in their building are being effectively addressed
• Access to ongoing information on what is being done to improve safety in their building
• Empowerment to voice safety concerns, with assurance that their concern will be taken seriously
• Clear, accessible, and easy to understand information regarding safety matters
8 | HMMApril/May 2024 |
www.housingmmonline.co.uk
Te legislation empowers residents to report
safety concerns, assured that their grievances will be taken seriously. Clear protocols are in place for expressing concerns or making a complaint. Residents can raise concerns and issues to the PAP for their building.
Operating within the Health and Safety
Executive, the BSR is part of the Government’s response to the Grenfell fire tragedy. An essential element of the new regulator’s role is to ensure the safety of high-rise residential buildings. Philip White, director of building safety at the
Health and Safety Executive, said: “Residents are at the heart of our regulatory efforts. It’s vital for us to amplify their voices and to recognise the role they play in the safety of their buildings. Safety standards in high rise buildings must be assessed and managed by the Principal Accountable Person (PAP). Te regulator will review how the building is managed and whether the PAP has complied with their duties.” “Our residents panel members represent the
diverse resident community in high-rise buildings. Tey provide valuable insights based on their real- life experiences of living in a high-rise building. Tis engagement contributes significantly to our regulatory programme for HRBs.” “Te residents’ panel welcomes the new
measures empowering high-rise residents. Tey are encouraged by the assurance that residents can speak up with confidence, knowing that their voices will not only be heard but also that their concerns will be considered fully.” Marlene Price BEM, a member of the BSR
Residents Panel, says: “Everyone should feel safe in their home, including the millions of people who live in high-rise buildings. Te Building Safety Regulator is working to make this ambition a reality.”
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