http://www.peterleestar.co.uk/news/local/abandoned-homes-could-be-sold-for-1-to-halt-decline-1-7106615
As a direct result we have been contacted over the past few days by Blackhall residents concerned that the disproportionate level of environmental and anti-social behaviour problems caused by some, less responsible absentee landlords already owning properties in our village is about to spiral out of control. The tone of the article has clearly caused some confusion and has also had an unsettling impact on quite a few residents and we feel that this sensationalist, attention-grabbing style of journalism is to blame.
However, in order to clarify matters on behalf of our residents, we have met with officers from Accent to discuss the impact of their company withdrawing housing renewal funding from our village. This was money which, it was promised three years ago, would help to regenerate our community and we have expressed our disappointment at Accent's unilateral decision to relocate that funding to their housing stock in other parts of the country. The residents we represent find this particularly galling when it is considered that Accent has fared well financially for over 30 years from rent receipts in our village.
We have also asked Accent to consider a range of options before disposing of their empty homes in Blackhall (it should be noted that Accent will remain as landlord of all their existing tenanted properties in Blackhall, with only 30 or so empty properties to be sold). We received the following response from the company:
The sale of all these homes remains subject to approval by our regulator, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and will, in the first instance, be offered for sale under a Homesteading scheme.
A
Homesteading scheme offers buyers a discount on the market price in return for
a legal commitment to live in the house as their primary home for at least
three years.
Any
homes that are not bought on this basis will then be offered for sale on the
open market by local and national agencies.
Whilst we remain disappointed that Accent feels that it is not able to fulfill its commitment to regenerate its housing stock, we feel that their statement above at least clarifies its position on the options they will consider before disposing of their empty properties in Blackhall.
We have been assured by Accent that they will keep tenants fully informed about ongoing issues relating to their homes. For our part, we will continue to monitor the situation and report on any significant developments which may have an impact on our village and its residents.
We have been assured by Accent that they will keep tenants fully informed about ongoing issues relating to their homes. For our part, we will continue to monitor the situation and report on any significant developments which may have an impact on our village and its residents.
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| Accent housing offices in Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery |