Homeowners could be forced to sell long empty properties

Thursday, 16 October 2025 13:37

By Chris Gee

A council is set to force the sale of some long term empty properties to bring more homes back into use.

This week Bury council’s cabinet approved a new policy meaning they can enforce the sale of a property when the owner owes a debt
to the authority.

The council said the decision signalled its ‘commitment to addressing the issues that long empty properties often present’.

The policy states that the council will pursue the use of enforced sale of a home where a debt over £1,000 is owed to them.

It said there have been instances of work in default carried out by the council and the owner is either absent, unwilling or unable to pay, and it is unlikely that debt will be repaid.

The policy also states that where the debt owed is below £1,000 there will be occasions when will be applied, particularly ‘where the impact of the condition of the empty property on neighbours is significant’.

A report to the cabinet, said:

“The council recognises that long term empty homes and sites are a wasted resource that can blight neighbouring properties.

“An enforced sale is a legal process by which the council can sell a property where there is outstanding debt. “Due to the nature of an enforced sale, it is expected that not only will any outstanding debt be recovered, but the empty property will also be brought back into use.

“It will be sold either at auction or via private treaty to a suitable buyer, therefore supporting the wider aims of providing suitable housing within
the borough.”

Where a property is sold using the policy, the council can deduct from the sale proceeds the original works in default costs, the legal costs in undertaking the enforced sale procedure, conveyancing costs in connection with the sale, auctioneers or other marketing costs and officer time in relation to the
enforced sale process.

The remaining balance of sale proceeds must be paid over to the former owner of the property.

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