Long-term empty properties, for owners, are a waste of money and for the community; they are a waste of valuable resource.

For every homeless family in the South East of England, there are more than six empty homes.

Empty properties are a magnet for vandals and petty criminals.  They can become a danger to children and their gardens frequently attract litter and other rubbish.  Houses left unoccupied can fall into disrepair quite quickly, becoming a blight on the neighbourhood and having an adverse effect on the values and saleability of surrounding properties.

Our aim is to bring empty homes back into productive use by working with owners:

• Providing advice
• Guidance
• Encouragement

Where properties are detrimental to the area and efforts to encourage owners to voluntarily bring the property back into use have failed, we will use statutory powers as a last resort.

With so many people on the waiting lists for council accommodation, the borough is anxious to help bring long-term empty properties back into occupation.  If you have such a property, or know of one, we would like to hear from you.  There are a number of attractive options, including up to £20,000 in grant assistance, see Grants For Landlords.

Further advice on empty properties is available on the every home counts website (this page opens in a new window).  The every home counts website was developed in partnership between eight Surrey and Hampshire councils.  You can also report an empty property on this site.

Private Sector Housing Team
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
GU2 4BB

Tel:  01483 444302
Fax:  01483 444844
Email:  privatesectorhousing@guildford.gov.uk