A question has been raised over what action can be taken to bring empty homes back into use as figures show more than 3,000 are vacant in Reading.
Houses and flats can be vacant for a variety of reasons, commonly because they are on the market.
Reading Borough Council has its own housing stock, and these properties can be vacant if they are undergoing refurbishment works.
The council's figures show that 3,524 homes were registered unoccupied in June, of which 1,086 were registered long-term empty, due to them being unfurnished for six months or longer.
Its Labour administration has therefore been asked what action can be taken at the last full council meeting.
Rob White (Green, Park), leader of the main opposition party on the council, said: “Reading is in a housing crisis.
“Our residents need safe, warm, and truly affordable homes, yet properties are still being left empty for long periods.
“We know the council has some staffing for tackling empty homes. Could the council confirm exactly what dedicated resource is available for tackling empty homes?
“What action does the council take where owners repeatedly fail to bring long-term empty properties back into use, and how actively are those powers being used?
“And with the current Empty Homes Strategy ending in 2026, what plans are there for a replacement strategy, and will it include sufficient dedicated resource to bring substantially more empty homes back into use?”
The question was answered by Matt Yeo, the lead councillor for housing, who stated that the council has a private sector housing team under its public protection department.
While they are not full-time staff members, they do have powers to recover debts through the Law of Property Act 1925, make compulsory purchase orders through the Acquisition of Land Act 1981, and Empty Dwelling Management Orders, that allow councils to bring empty homes back into use while legal ownership remains with the owner through the Housing Act 2004.
Cllr Yeo (Labour, Caversham) said: “Owners that are unwilling or unable to bring their homes back into use through informal or enabling approaches are forewarned of those three Secondary Enforcement Powers which are set out in the council's Empty Homes Strategy.
“The government announced on September 27 reforms to Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs), supporting councils to bring more long-term empty homes back into use and helping ensure existing housing stock is used more effectively.
“The changes will reduce the period a property must be empty before it becomes eligible for an EDMO from two years to six months, allowing councils to act sooner where homes have been left vacant and preventing properties from falling into serious disrepair.”
The answer was given at a full council meeting on October 13.
The council also charges a premium council tax for empty homes and second homes, raising £1,320,852.69 from empty homes and £823,636.53 from second homes this year.
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