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8:33am Saturday 5th July 2008
Nearly 400 Hertsmere homes have been left empty for six months or more, it was revealed last Wednesday.
At a Hertsmere Borough Council meeting, Councillor Di Hoeksma asked what was being done to tackle the problem of the borough's long-term empty properties.
Councillor Hannah David, portfolio holder for housing, said the council tax team had identified 378 properties left unoccupied for six months or more, of which 40 are rented out by housing associations.
She said: "Research is being undertaken to gain a clear picture of long-term empty houses, which is necessary to assess resources to bring them back into use.
"The council has been engaged in a number of initiatives to help reduce the amount of empty properties in the borough. For example, last year 30 households in need of housing were helped into the private rented sector through a rent deposit scheme."
But Ms Hoeksma said more should be done to help more than 1,300 people on the housing waiting list.
emma, borehamwood says...
1:06pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Angry tax payer, Borehamwood says...
4:47pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Eli, Elstree says...
5:29pm Mon 7 Jul 08
emma, borehamwood says...
6:21pm Tue 8 Jul 08
dont think you under stand, elstree says...
6:32pm Tue 8 Jul 08
Lisa, Borehamwood says...
1:47pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Lara, Borehamwood says...
6:37pm Mon 14 Jul 08
joan, borehamwood says...
10:16pm Mon 14 Jul 08
emma, borehamwood says...
8:06am Tue 15 Jul 08
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Ellie, Borehamwood says...
1:12am Sun 6 Jul 08
Maybe you should put down your portfolio get in your car and drive to the addresses on your books and see if the houses are empty. research is being undertaken!
1) is the rent being paid?
2) does the accomodation look like someone is living in it?
3) Does someone come to the door when you ring the bell? - if the answer is to theses questions is NO.
Then it is probably empty - research done.
See that wasn't too difficult