Abandoned properties that have blighted neighbourhoods across the Lancaster district have been transformed and returned to use.
By working with property owners and, where necessary, using enforcement powers, Lancaster City Council brought 63 long-term empty homes back into use in 2025.
This work has helped increase the supply of much-needed housing, improved the look and feel of neighbourhoods and supported wider regeneration across the district.
Properties can remain empty for many reasons, including death, bankruptcy, family disputes and future investment plans.
The council tackles the issue through engagement with owners, intervention works to support improvements and, where required, legal action to compel urgent repairs. In the most extreme cases, where engagement has failed and a property remains inactive, the council can take steps to enforce the sale of a home.
To deter homes from standing empty, the council applies a council tax premium of 100 per cent to properties that have been empty for more than one year, meaning owners pay double their usual bill.
The premium increases the longer a property remains empty: homes empty for more than five years pay triple the standard charge, rising to four times the bill after ten years.
Exceptions are available where owners are actively working to bring a property back into use, such as listing it for sale or rent, or where legal restrictions prevent occupation.
Claire Taylor, Lancaster City Council’s empty homes officer, said: “Empty homes reduce available housing and can quickly fall into disrepair, affecting local residents and the wider community. We are committed to tackling the issue and bringing much-needed homes back into use for local people.
“While the council cannot control how many privately owned properties become empty, we can work to reduce the length of time they remain so, particularly where they are left in a poor state of repair.
“Each case is different and must be dealt with individually, which means finding a solution is not always straightforward. It is always really rewarding to see much needed homes brought back into use - particularly when it is ones that have been empty for so long.
“I continue to work with empty home owners to see that their properties are brought back into use as soon as possible in order to uphold our commitment to increase the supply of local housing.”
Since 2013, the council has helped bring 789 homes return to use and continues to work to bring the current 875 unoccupied properties back into use.
In one case, a property on Beecham Street, abandoned for 24 years and falling into a dangerous condition, is one of the homes recently fully refurbished and reoccupied.
The owner was traced, but after failing to act on a council-issued notice to carry out urgent repairs, the council had to step in to undertake emergency works to make it safe, including removing a dangerous dormer.
The owner was invoiced for the repairs and the property was later sold through the owner’s estate.
Another property on Bay View Avenue stood empty for almost four decades after being left to a family member. The council repeatedly contacted the owner to address issues, including overgrown gardens.
When ownership later transferred to another family member, the council worked with the new owner, who sold the property. It has now been renovated, sold and is once again lived in.
Residents concerned about properties that have been empty for two years or more, or that are in a state of disrepair, can report them to the council for investigation.
Morecambe children's nursery announces plans to close during extreme heat
Lancaster MP responds to Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister
Carnforth High School praised as a "caring community" in Ofsted report
Body of man found in Lancaster park
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Armed Forces weekend will return after massive crowds enjoy biggest ever event
Morecambe MP says Sir Keir Starmer "has made right decision" as Prime Minister resigns
Limited edition artwork will raise vital funds for Lancaster community group
Green Heritage Plaque marks first home of Lancaster University
New home revealed for £20m Morecambe West End regeneration scheme
Wooden nests take flight in Lancaster and Morecambe to stop decline of endangered birds
Veterans salute as Armed Forces Day flag raised at start of celebration weekend in Morecambe
Vandals cause delays to aqueduct sinkhole repairs in Lancaster
Extra Care scheme to open in Lancaster
Three people taken to hospital after road traffic collision in Morecambe
Injured police officer speaks of anger after jailed man freed 16 days after sentence
Morecambe woman to brave the shave to help dogs stay with their families
M6 near Lancaster to close for resurfacing
Full line-up for biggest ever Armed Forces weekend in Morecambe
Lancaster District residents thanked for embracing food waste recycling
More gridlocks in Heysham as roundabout resurfacing works 'over-run'
