Despite only a small number of people claiming that nearby empty homes had affected their property value, a large number feel strongly about empty homes in the neighbourhood.

Research published by Halifax, the UK's largest lender, reveals that an overwhelming nine out of ten people (91%) want the Government to actively reduce the number of empty homes in the UK.

82% of people also believe that the Government should establish a housing market renewal fund to help with the repair of empty or uninhabitable properties.

Although the number of empty homes has reduced by 5% during the last 12 months, there are still over 700,000 empty homes in England. Despite not knowing the actual figures, 60 per cent of people surveys said that they were worried about the number of empty homes in the country.

Public concern
The findings of the 2003 Halifax empty homes survey show an increase in public concern. In the first annual survey, published in 2002, 40% of people expressed concern about empty homes - in particular how they might affect the value of their own home.

In 2003 this figure has risen to 47 per cent. Just 4% claim to have experienced an adverse effect on the value of their home because of an empty property in their street/area.

Support for compulsory leasing
82% of people think that local authorities should be given the power to lease and bring back to life empty properties that are currently inhabitable.

This provides strong support for independent campaigning charity, The Empty Homes Agency, which is lobbying for a new power of compulsory leasing, or 'empty homes management orders'.

The Empty Homes Agency would like to see local authorities take possession of an empty home where the owner has refused subsidies or assistance. The property could then be improved under the management of the local authority and introduced into the housing stock to meet the local housing need - for example, homeless or key sector workers.

We need accountability to tackle the issue
Over four in five (83%) of those interviewed feel that local authorities should publish statistics on the number of empty homes they have in their area. 88% of those interviewed believe that local authorities should also have specific policies and provision within their housing strategy to tackle the issue.

Local authorities should take action
92% of those interviewed believe that local authorities should do more to reduce the number of empty homes in their area. However, there is recognition of the Government's efforts to try and encourage owners of empty homes to bring their properties back onto the market. - 90% are pleased with the Government's acknowledgement of the issue and attempts to address it.

Support for pragmatic and practical solutions to tackle the issue of empty homes is high. 85% of those interviewed said that, where a property remains empty for a long time, the local authority should have the power to make it habitable again. A quarter of those interviewed said that local authorities should wait 6 months before taking possession and a further quarter felt 12 months was more appropriate. Just over 16% said that the local authorities should wait over a year whilst just 4% said that they should never be legally able to take possession of a property to make it habitable again.

Chancellor urged to address tax breaks
Two thirds (64%) of those interviewed think that the facility for owners of empty homes to claim rebates on their council tax should be scrapped, particularly where the property has become dangerous or in disrepair.

Conversely, when asked if owners of empty homes should be given extra funding or tax breaks to make their houses habitable again opinion was divided. 49% thought this was a sensible approach to tackle the problem, whilst 46% disagreed.

Empty homes could help those who need it most
Three-quarters (77%) of those interviewed believe the Deputy Prime Minister could use derelict or empty homes to house the homeless. 74% agreed that if a property has been empty for a sustained period of time it should be sold or made available to first-time buyers or key sector workers.

Halifax is writing to the Government with the findings of the research but offers a note of caution to Government policy makers. According to the lender any attempt to establish a 'blanket solution' could tip the scales in the opposite direction and have an adverse effect on both house prices and rents.

Commenting, Phil Jenks, Head of Mortgages at the Halifax, said:

"Re-introducing empty homes into the UK housing stock is certainly part of a solution to address the current shortage of housing - predicted to be a chronic shortfall of some 500,000 homes by the year 2020.”

“However, there is a fine balance to achieve here. Halifax would support any Government policy which would help to re-introduce empty housing stock at the right pace and in the right places."

Jonathan Ellis, Chief Executive at the Empty Homes Agency, added:

"It is excellent to see the growing public support for action to tackle empty homes. At a time of high housing need we have to do more to bring these empty homes back into use.”

“The Empty Homes Agency is also delighted to see such public support for our campaign for compulsory leasing of long-term private empty homes. We need such new powers to unlock the wasted potential of these empty homes."