Barnet residents encouraged to make something of disused buildings

Empty buildings that have fallen into disrepair and become dilapidated and ruined, tend to be a blight on the area in which they are located. Nobody likes the look of an empty house with broken windows, peeling paintwork and cracked brickwork. However, in one borough of London, the local authority has made plans to do something about this problem.

Residents of Barnet can now benefit from funding to help bring empty buildings back into use. The 'Empty Properties Grant' is available to landlords and owner occupiers throughout the borough in order to help them renovate the buildings.

Those looking to improve an abandoned property will be eligible for a grant of up to £25,000 for each building planned for refurbishment. One of the caveats for this, however, is that the building must be available to rent out to people in housing need for at least five years.

This is great news for those looking to move to the borough, as it means thousands of new homes could be created there in the near future. It is estimated that there are between 1,500 and 2,500 derelict homes in Barnet, so if all of these are refurbished it will provide much-needed housing for the area.

Tom Davey, chairman of Barnet's Housing Committee, said: “Bringing empty properties back into use is not only excellent value for the taxpayer but removes local eyesores for our residents. 

"We know there is a huge demand for accommodation in the borough and if we can succeed in helping people get out of costly nightly accommodation and into properties which had previously fallen in disrepair it has got to be a win-win situation.”

This is great news for Barnet residents, as it means they can enjoy a local area that is much more pleasant to look at thanks to the renovation of dilapidated buildings. It will also bring more people into the area thanks to the extra housing, helping the economy.

Published 18th August, 2014

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