A council in East Sussex has launched a district-wide review to target empty homes. Lewes District Council announced the measures as part of Empty Homes Week 2025. The council plans to review empty homes across the district and introduce new premiums on second homes.
Mark Slater, councillor responsible for tenants and those in housing need, said: "The Empty Homes Week campaign has my full support. "It is unacceptable to have vacant homes when so many in our district struggle to find housing. "Last year, we increased council tax premiums on empty homes to encourage owners to bring these properties back into much-needed use, and from this April, we will be introducing further charges on second homes.
"And in the coming months, we will be conducting a thorough review of empty homes in the district." Since April 2024, owners of long-term empty properties in Lewes district have faced council tax premiums of up to 300 per cent. Starting this April, the council will impose a 100 per cent premium on second homes.
The council is also promoting its Direct Lets scheme, which assists landlords and owners of empty homes in renting to people on the council's housing register. Benefits for landlords include direct rent payments, no commission or finders' fees, free tenant referencing, financial help to update safety certificates or carry out minor repairs, and a National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) approved rent guarantor. More details can be found on the council's website.
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