Westminster City Council is advocating for legal reforms to regain control of private properties that have remained vacant for over six months. With around 11,000 properties unoccupied in the borough, the council is urging the government to simplify the issuance of Empty Management Dwelling Orders to facilitate the reintegration of these homes into the housing market. The council emphasizes the financial impact of these vacancies, spending £140m on temporary accommodations over two years, while also working directly with property owners to promote occupancy and resolve safety issues related to squatters.
"What we want to try to do is engage with the owner to bring the property back into use." - Jacqueline Connerky, empty property enforcement officer.
"We've got three double rooms [here], so we can easily house six people - a family requiring a three-bedroom property." - Jacqueline Connerky on potential housing solutions.
"We're looking for the government to help reform the empty dwelling management order system and a number of other challenges." - Adam Hug, Westminster City Council leader.
"At least 11,000 properties in the borough were unoccupied and many had been for several years." - Report on vacant properties in Westminster.
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