Empty Property Reported

Swindon Borough Council is aware of this property and is monitoring it as the owner is adamant that it is not empty. Environmental Health Officers have baited the garden for rats but have not caught any. Ongoing...

Thankyou for your prompt response. In reply to your comments regarding the owners adamant position on the `supposed` occupation I would like to point out the following. The owner frequents the house for about 5 minutes a month and has left a key with a local friend to deal with any `emergencies`. This came about after a burst water main poured water into the back garden for three days before being discovered by neighbours. Furthermore the recent fire was also discovered by neighbours and would have in no doubt spread to my property had the firebrigade not arrived promptly. Swift action was only taken because smoke pervaded my house and others during waking hours. I dread to think what might have been if people were asleep as both myself and my neighbours also have children. I understand that following this there is an insurance claim that is trying to be made, the owner will not admit to him not living there because the claim would be invalid. However if the house was occupied then it would be the tennants that would have reported the fire and not the neighbours who by sheer luck spotted it at 10.00p.m (only an hour later it could have proved fatal). Being in one of the adjoining propertys i can hear people enetering and leaving there premises and can assure you there is no current occupation and has not been for years!. Please continue to monitor this house and if possible use surveilance to confirm what myself and neghbours already know. The garden shed is currently home to rats that can be observed on a `daily basis` running to and from the holes in there. Unfortunately they also enter my garden where my children are playing, I am hoping that these rats are not carrying any fatal diseases! The rats have now driven out the immediate neighbours who are intimnidated by them and fear for there litle girl. they leave at the end of this week. The owner of this house has failed to sell the property in the past (he was renting it) beacuse of the condition of the `abandoned house` next door. I am in no doubt that the property next to me will now also lie empty as nobody will be willing to rent/buy with the current problem. Please ensure that something is done with this eyesore as it continues to cast a shadow on the area and decrease the value/ make unsaleable the properties nearby. Having now lost my neighbours because of this I feel that I can no longer stand by and take a passive response until something is finally done. Please do not hesitate to request any assistance from myself if required. Kind Regards Ian Warlow

Hi there Ian, Many thanks for the above information. I have put this particular property on my priority list. I'll keep you/this site updated. Kind regards, Stuart

Hi Stuart, Apologies for some of the grammatical errors, the reply was typed in some haste. Further direct correspondance can be made with myself at the following e-mail address if you wish. [removed]

Hi Ian, I'm sorry to hear about your problems with this property; you have my sympathies as someone who lived next to a dilapidated property which I ended up repairing the garage of so I could sell my house! But as an email administrator I must point out that you should never openly display your email address on a website unless you want to become the target of unsolicited mail.

Stuart – I hope you will be able to remove the address without any problems. Sterling work BTW.

Kind Regards,

James

Hi Stuart, Any updates with this property? I would really like to speak to somebody with regard to why it has/ is taking so long to move forward with any action. I find it difficult to believe that after many years of abandonment nothing seems to be moving?. I understand that both owners are currently living in a council property? This is absolutley ludicrous? Regards Ian

I can now confirm that enforcement action has been served with regard to the refuse in the garden (undergrowth etc), treat the rat infestation and carry out a CCTV of the drainage for any defects that may be the source of the infestation. Because the property is privately owned, the Council must follow certain procedures to bring it back into use - I also understand that it is a long process, and infuriating for those affected by the said property. BTW, I am the Empty Homes officer here at Swindon Borough Council and can be contacted directly at 01793 464286. Many thanks.

Hi Stuart, Yes I am aware that the enforcement order has been served, this is very positive. What are the next steps involved? and what are the approximate timescales?. I am aware of certain legislative measures that can be executed with regard to re-habitation/ compulsory purchase. Would it be possible to disclose the current status level of enquiry regarding the `abandonement` of the property. I would imagine that after a period of approximately 8 years things should be fairly advanced? Many Thanks Ian