21^st Oct 2024

A 'neglected property' in Tottenham, which had 

remained empty for six years, has  been compulsorily purchased by Haringey council as part of its initiative to make empty homes ‘lived in’.

Image credit: iStock

The council reported that the three bedroom house was in severe disrepair and  filled with hoarded possessions. It became vacant in 2018 when its former tenant  moved into a care home. 

Haringey made repeated attempts to work with the owners, a limited company, to  restore and reuse the house, but after little progress, the council issued a  Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).

The owners objected which resulted in a Planning Inspectorate hearing in which several neighbours came forward and told the assembly how they had been badly affected by the damaged property and how it impacted their ‘quality of life’.

Following the Planning Inspectorate’s hearing the Secretary of State approved the CPO and Haringey took possession of the property.

The authority is making sure that the house will not be left in its dilapidated state as one its major conditions assigned to the sale is that the new owner must carry out the necessary renovations before the transaction is approved and completed.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning Councillor Sarah Williams, says: “Empty homes left in disrepair not only waste valuable housing but can also have a negative impact on the surrounding area.

“Therefore, targeting those that are long-term or causing a nuisance to the local community is a huge priority for us.

“With the ongoing housing crisis, thousands are in urgent need of safe, well-maintained homes. By enforcing Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) and utilising these empty properties, we can optimise our housing stock.

“Our commitment to revitalising these homes will not only address the needs of those who need a home but also enhance the local environment.”