EMPTY PROPERTIES – LONDON WEEK OF ACTION 11-15 OCTOBER 2004

What’s the big deal about Empty Properties?

The Empty Property Strategy 2003-06, as of March 2002, estimated 1,840 empty, privately owned
properties in Islington. The London week of action aims to promote awareness of empty
properties, Islington are working closely with the Empty Homes Agency to combat this waste of
housing resource.

Empty properties can help house our homeless households.

Why are there empty properties?

This can be due to:
 Bereavement
 Elderly owner going into a nursing home
 Landlord unable to afford repairs
 Landlord unable to find suitable tenants.

What’s the problem with empty properties?

Empty properties encourage
 squatters,
 vandalism,
 decrease in the value of surrounding properties
 vermin – rats, mice, cockroaches

Why should we care?

 empty properties means:
 eyesores and
 potential crime hot spots
 filling the properties can improve local neighbourhoods

What can Islington do?

There are a number of schemes and grants available to private landlords:
 Empty Property Renovation Grant
 Landlords Insurance Scheme
 Islington Tenant Bond Scheme etc.

How can you help?

Should you know of any Empty residential/commercial properties, contact Diane Edwards, Empty
Property Officer on:
 Free phone: 0800 953 6305
 E-mail: empty.property@islington.gov.uk
 Web: www.islington.gov.uk (e-form)

Islington, Camden, Croydon, Waltham Forest, Lambeth & Tower Hamlets Council have
come together with the Empty Homes Agency in a joint effort to promote the London Week
of Action 11- 15 October 2004, for more details contact Diane on the number above or
Shashi Ioannides at the Empty Homes Agency on 020 7828 6288.