Renewed push to bring empty homes back into use during Empty Homes Week

The Council’s Empty Homes Policy, which launched last year,  sets out a clear strategy to identify empty homes, support owners and, as a last resort, use enforcement powers where necessary. 

An empty home is defined as a residential property that has been unoccupied for at least six months. Empty homes can fall into disrepair and contribute to wider issues such as vandalism, pests and antisocial behaviour. This can impact on local neighbourhoods, as well as being a lost opportunity to provide much needed housing for local residents.

The Council’s Environmental Health team is responsible for identifying empty homes across the Borough and working directly with owners to bring them back into occupation. The Council emphasises a supportive approach first, reserving enforcement powers for cases where engagement fails. 
Residents are also encouraged to support the effort by reporting homes they believe to be long term vacant. An online reporting form makes this process simple.

Alongside the policy, Castle Point Council has approved significant increases to council tax premiums for long term empty homes, set to take effect from 1 April 2026. Owners of empty homes will be subject to escalating charges depending on how long a property has remained vacant.

Councillor Rob Lillis, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Housing said:  “Everyone benefits when an empty home is brought back into use. We’re asking residents to help us identify vacant properties so we can work with owners and ensure these homes are part of thriving neighbourhoods once again.”