- Funding, or a grant to pay for refurbishment and building work is the most frequently mentioned type of support owners would like to see, followed by help with selling or changes in legislation
- Getting their property ready for sale through general tidying, repairs or refurbishment is the reason most frequently given for what helped owners bring their properties back into use, followed by being able to find a suitable tenant or new tenants
- 10% mention receiving help from the council as a factor in bringing a property back into use
- Almost two thirds of current and former empty property owners are unaware of any available support and advice (63%)
- Less than a fifth (17%) have ever sought help and advice regarding their empty property. Those who did seek support mainly approached Portsmouth City Council
- Those who did not seek support did not need support (40%), didn’t know what support was available (28%) or didn’t feel that Portsmouth City Council would be willing/able to help (23%)
Support options
Summary
What support would help you bring your property back into use?
Base: Current empty property owners (37)
| wdt_ID | Key themes | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Funding/grants for refurbishment and building work | 19 |
| 2 | Help with selling e.g. council making an offer, simpler selling process | 16 |
| 3 | Change in legislation/attitude needed e.g. no council tax on empty properties, realistic EPC legislation for older houses | 14 |
| 4 | No support needed | 11 |
| 11 | Recommended professionals/contractors | 5 |
| 12 | Guaranteed rental income | 5 |
| 13 | Other e.g. too many similar properties on the market, criminal activity making it difficult, neighbour to take shared responsibility, planning help | 11 |
| 14 | Na/no comment/don't know | 27 |
What helped you bring your property back into use?
Base: Former empty property owners (21*) *caution small base
| wdt_ID | Key themes | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Readying the property for sale e.g. general tidying, repairs through to full refurbishment | 33 |
| 2 | Found new tenant/suitable tenant | 20 |
| 3 | Personal effort and money | 17 |
| 4 | Successful sale | 10 |
| 11 | Estate agent/marketing | 10 |
| 12 | Council help e.g. rates/loan rebate, empty homes officer | 10 |
| 13 | Probate completed | 5 |
| 14 | End of Covid lockdown | 5 |
| 15 | Na/no comment | 24 |
Were you aware of any support and advice available to you?
Base: Current and former empty property owners (54)
This chart shows owners’ awareness of support: 63% unaware, 7% aware, 4% slightly aware, 11% say no support needed, and 11% say there is no support.
Have you ever sought advice and support regarding your empty property?
Base: Current and former empty property owners (52)
This chart shows that 17% of owners have sought advice/support, while 83% have not.
Where did you seek this advice and support?
Base: Current and former empty property owners who have sought support (9*) *caution small base
| wdt_ID | Sources of support contacted |
|---|---|
| 1 | PCC (website, Civic, unstated) |
| 2 | PCC, housing (renovations) |
| 3 | PCC council tax |
| 4 | Estate agent |
| 11 | Local MPs |
| 12 | Police |
Why did you not seek advice and support?
Base: Current and former empty property owners who have sought support (40)
| wdt_ID | Key themes | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not needed/short-term situation | 40 |
| 2 | Didn't know what support was available | 28 |
| 3 | Council support could not help/would not help | 23 |
| 4 | Used other sources of support e.g. letting agent | 8 |
| 11 | Na/no comment | 13 |
