Empty property FAQs

What do we mean by an empty property?

Each year local authorities have to provide a statistical return to central government giving the number of long-term empty properties (LTEs) in their area.

An LTE is a property that has been empty for more than 6 months according to Council Tax records - it does not include second homes, homes where the owner is in a nursing home, or properties in probate.

Are empty properties a problem in Adur and Worthing?

Adur & Worthing Councils would much prefer to see all dwellings in use, especially in times of a housing shortage, but LTEs are only a very small proportion of the housing stock (less than 1%).

Why aren't Adur & Worthing Councils doing anything about empty properties?

Adur & Worthing Councils carried out a lot of work in this area and achieved a drastic reduction in the numbers of LTEs through streamlined processes and the work of our empty property Officer. This not only increased the numbers of homes available, but helped bring in extra money for the Councils through the New Homes Bonus.

The Councils no longer have a dedicated resource to deal with LTEs and there is a much lower proportion of empty properties. There is also an ongoing churn in LTEs - as one is brought back into use after 6 months, another will become an LTE, so there are very few properties which have actually been empty for longer than 6 months.

The Council is, instead, prioritising housing standards in occupied properties, especially in the private rented sector.

Why can't you tell me who owns an empty property?

Data protection laws means that we can't release personal information to third parties. Similarly we can't even confirm if a property is listed as empty, or a second home, or under probate.

We also can't release information on addresses that may or may not be empty within Adur and Worthing for the reasons of preventing crime.

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