THE number of privately owned empty homes in Swindon has fallen in the last three years, giving new homes to local families, improving the lives of neighbours and increasing income for the council.

In 2012 there were 559 homes in the borough but this has now dropped to just over 407.

Swindon Borough Council has adopted a collaborative approach with owners, who often have personal reasons why they allow the properties to fall into ruin, backed up by enforcement and this is seen as one of the reasons for the decline, along with an uplift in the housing market.

The properties are classed as empty when they have not been lived in for more than six months.

In many cases this means gardens become overgrown while the buildings themselves become an eyesore.

This can lower the value of neighbouring houses while the houses can also attract pests, vandals and fly-tippers.

Mike Ash, the council’s head of housing, said where possible the council tried to work with property owners to work out a solution.

In a report, he said: “Officers identify empty homes from council tax records or following complaints from sources such as neighbours, passers-by, police or the fire brigade.

“In the first instance efforts will be made to track down owners and to establish the reasons for the property being empty.

“This can vary, but a significant number will be due to the previous occupier being in care, or having passed away.

“These latter cases will take time to resolve, but we will remain in frequent contact with family members to discuss their future plans for the property.

“Once we have contacted owners we will work with them to assist them in bringing the property back into use.”

One success includes a property in Eastcott which had been left empty for a decade. The owner was an elderly woman with personal difficulties but by working with a sympathetic local builder the council managed to persuade her to spend £25,000 on work and rent the property out. However, if the owners are not cooperative then enforcement action will be taken.

“Investigations into the whereabouts of an owner of an empty home in Walcot East lead to a report to our Housing Benefit fraud team,” said Mr Ash.

“Following extensive investigation, the owner was prosecuted and evicted from their council property for failing to declare an interest in a property, and was forced to sell their property to clear their overpayment of housing benefit.

“The property was subsequently bought by a landlord we work with, and is now being rented out to a previously homeless family.”

Bringing the properties back to use also has financial benefits as the government pays £7,000 per house in New Homes Bonus cash.