Pictures inside an abandoned home show how its been reclaimed by nature – with trees growing inside. Neighbours contacted their local council to complain about the state of a three-bed property in a market town.
Environmental health officers inspected the house, in Stroud, Gloucestershire, and found years of neglect – with ferns growing in the damp living room and hall.
The council said it made “extensive efforts” to contact the owner but they refused to engage. The case was taken to the county court and an order forcing the sale of the long-abandoned house was granted.
The house, which requires extensive renovations to make it habitable, has since been sold at auction. The council’s costs will be taken from the proceeds.
“There is a shortage of housing in the district, so we will do all we can to encourage empty homes to be brought back into use,” Cllr Mattie Ross, Chair of Stroud District Council Housing Committee said.
“We offer homeowners an interest free Empty Homes Loan of up to £15,000 for repairs and refurbishment to properties that have been empty for more than 12 months if they are then used for affordable rented housing.”
Cllr Lucas Schoemaker, Vice Chair added: “Long term empty homes are a blight for communities and can attract anti-social behaviour.”
At Stroud District Council’s February Housing Committee meeting members agreed to implement a council tax premium on second homes and widen the current council tax premium for properties empty between one and five years (currently two and five years) from April 2025 in an effort to encourage more homes to be brought into use.
