Latest statistics show that the borough of Boston has 411 long-term empty properties, with 295 of them being empty for at least twelve months. The high number is yet another reason for the deepening housing crisis in Boston, which has seen many people unable to either afford a home or move up the boroughs housing waiting list.
Most mortgage lenders are still looking for a deposit of at least 20%, meaning the average first time buyer in Boston will face seven years of scrimping and saving before they have enough for a deposit on even the cheapest properties in the area. Experts say that more new homes are needed to help the problem, but as there are so many empty homes in the borough, others feel that these should all be brought back into use before new land is built upon. Almost 250 of the empty properties are owned by private landlords and the others are owned by a registered social landlord, including housing associations Boston Mayflower and Longhurst.
Nathan Black, spokesman for Mayflower, which owns 31 homes which are currently not in use, explained there is often good reason why homes are empty saying: “We have thirteen prefabricated bungalows in Boston, which are vacant due to on-going refurbishment work being carried out on them, one property in Sutterton, which is empty due to it being for sale subject to contract and 17 sheltered accommodation properties, which are vacant due to on-going refurbishment work being carried out on them.”
Boston Council says they are working hard with other bodies to bring the homes back into use, with the help of a coalition grant. Returning empty homes into use by offering the owners help in bringing them up to standard is a policy being adapted by many councils across the UK. Private landlords are being traced and offered monetary reward to get the properties up to scratch, covered with landlord insurance and habitable for those needing shelter. However, many councils are qualifying the offer by placing time limits on the improvements and some landlords are still proving difficult to persuade.