Created in April 2009, Central Bedfordshire Council is a unitary authority formed after the merger of Mid Bedfordshire, South Bedfordshire District Councils, and Bedfordshire County Council.
Along with nearly all local authorities across England, Central Bedfordshire Council had a growing number of long-term empty properties that needed to be thoroughly reviewed to ensure the accuracy of council tax records and reduce the number of vacant properties (to make more homes available for the most vulnerable; reduce the potential for antisocial behaviour that can often be associated with empty houses and, if possible, increase the funding available under the Government’s New Homes Bonus scheme).
In 2024, for the fourth year running, Central Bedfordshire Council decided to take the Empty Homes Review Service from Capacitygrid.
The Solution:
Capacitygrid, by Liberata, has provided local authorities with a comprehensive and market-leading Empty Homes Review Service for over ten years. During that time, Capacitygrid’s review services generated over £730 million of additional revenue for the councils we worked with (and over 650 separate reviews were completed). In 2024, a full review will remove, on average, 26% from the list of long-term empty properties – each house removed can be used to generate additional New Homes Bonus Funding.
The reviews are provided on a “risk and reward” basis, so there is no fee if we do not remove houses from the Council’s Long-Term Empty list.
The Results:
2023:
• 343 properties removed from Long Term Empty list
• Removal rate of 36%
• Estimated additional New Homes Bonus funding of £699,118
2024:
• 339 properties removed from Long Term Empty list
• Removal rate of 28%
• Estimated additional New Homes Bonus funding of £721,978
“Our latest Empty Homes Review was another seamless process of working in partnership with a well-established, efficient and trust worthy supplier. The review not only generates income for the
Council but also ensures our Council Tax records are updated with accurate and timely information.”
Gary Muskett – Assistant Director: Revenues & Benefits
