The United Kingdom is currently in the throes of a housing crisis
, according to recent reports around 2 million around the country are currently on housing waiting lists, seems excessive doesnt?
Well the picture gets no better when you consider 1 million homes in the UK currently stand empty!
Thats right, half of the housing shortages could be wiped out if the countrys empty homes were brought back in to a habitable state. Of course that isnt the only issue, the main struggle local councils are having is locating the owners of vacant properties.
The issue was investigated by Channel 4 last year on their programme The Great British Property Scandal which also encouraged members of the general public to record instances of empty homes and report them via their website. Over 8,000 emtpies have now been reported but clearly that leaves a significant number still to be recorded.
So how can you as a landlord help?
Well to be honest the message from the powers that be is that if you either own a single empty property or you have a couple in your portfolio now is the time to take action and put them back in to a habitable state.
Dont worry though as you arent entirely alone in this. Home renovations in Stockport, Cheshire or Manchester can be a costly exercise however help is at hand with both councils and a number of charities now assisting private landlords to get their properties back on the rental market.
For example in Stockport the council is offering Empty Property Grants to owners of empty houses in the Heaton Norris, Lancashire Hills and the Town Centre areas to aid them in bringing the properties up to a habitable standard.
The likelihood of you needing a house extension on your property is unlikely in the most part however as your local housing waiting list will be made up of people with varying housing requirements which will be assessed by your local housing association when looking to place tenants.
Whether you manage to garner additional help from your local council or housing authority the fact remains that getting your property in to a let-able state is of great importance!
Upon deciding it is time to get some work done you will not be short of contractors offering services in home extensions and renovations in the Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire areas so be sure to review all potential contractors thoroughly to ensure you pick the right firm for the job.