Council Cracks Down on Napping Nooks: Aims to Fix and Fill Empty Homes Rapidly

The North Kesteven District Council is rolling up its sleeves to resolve the issue of empty council houses that are in need of repair. The issue has been exacerbated by a lack of manpower, a high turnover of staff, and a backlog of problems inherited from the previous contractor, leading to distressingly long waiting periods for prospective tenants. The current average wait time of 45 days is a significant increase from the 20-day norm in 2019. The council, however, assures that the situation, which had led to a backlog of 2,000 required repairs, is improving. To expedite the process, the council is considering the formation of a ‘Task and Finish’ group for three months, which will delve into the details of the current challenges and propose improvements. The group is slated to include recent tenants, councillors, and officers for a comprehensive understanding of the issue. This move comes at a critical time as housing waiting lists continue to grow due to increasing private rents, outpacing income or benefits. Moreover, with the government effectively putting a stop to the Right To Buy scheme to limit the annual loss of homes, the council’s actions are more necessary than ever.