EFFORTS to reduce the numbers of empty homes in Teignbridge have seen figures drop to an all-time low.

In the last seven years, the number of unoccupied properties has halved, down to 365 as of October.

Since 2008, this has reduced by 370.

The figures have been released ahead of National Empty Homes Week, a national drive to highlight the waste of empty property and celebrate the success of examples of new initiatives to bring homes back into use.

Teignbridge Council offers a range of help, advice and financial assistance to anyone who has an empty property.

Cllr Humphrey Clemens, Teignbridge Council’s executive spokesman for planning and housing, said: ‘It’s great to see all the work is having such a positive effect.

‘This reduction has, in the main, been achieved by positive engagement with owners in the form of advice, loans, grants, tenant matching, open days and landlord training days.’

If properties remain unoccupied due to a lack of funds for refurbishment or difficult letting, small grants may be available to help getting homes habitable.

Properties become empty for various reasons such as owners moving into residential care or probate.

In most cases, owners do not want to leave them unoccupied as they are a financial drain due to repair bills, council tax, insurance, utility bills and lost rental income.

The vast majority of the remaining empty properties are actively being marketed for sale or let or are in the process of being refurbished for reoccupation.

One scheme in Newton Abbot was completed in 2014, transforming a large unused space above a retail unit in Queen Street into eight affordable, self-contained flats.

A few properties are neglected which can encourage issues such as anti-social behaviour and quickly fall into disrepair while gardens become overgrown causing a nuisance to neighbours and affecting the value of other properties.

This can result in enforcement action although the council says this is usually a last resort.

Cllr Clemens added: ‘In recent years the amount of financial assistance available from Teignbridge Council for empty properties has reduced and we’ve looked at new ways to help us continue the downward trend.

‘Funding of £275,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency and a £35,000 contribution from Teignbridge Council has helped create 30 affordable units in areas of high housing need and make better use of empty and underused spaces above shops in town centres.

‘This means we’ve been able to tidy up unused properties, boost the quality of life for local communities and provide people with much-needed homes, a win-win for all involved.’

As well as financial help, Teignbridge Council also offers training days and open evenings to provide expert advice to landlords.

Contact Teignbridge Council’s empty homes officer Hayley Farley on 01626 215425 for more information.