This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Rejected petition Give Local Authorities the power to purchase empty residential properties
Local authorities should be able to purchase empty properties after a period of 2 years. These properties can then be used for social housing or be refurbished and sold. Empty derelict properties are an eyesore and a health hazard.
More details
There is a lack of social housing and local authorities must make the best use of the money given to them by central government.
This petition was rejected
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s not clear what the petition is asking the UK Government or Parliament to do.
Local authorities already have a number of powers in respect of empty properties, including compulsory purchase. You can find out about local authorities’ powers to tackle empty housing here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn03012
Deciding whether to use these powers is a matter for individual local authorities, not the Government or House of Commons. You could start a new petition calling on the Government to require local authorities to take action, such as initiating compulsory purchase proceedings, if a residential property has been vacant for two years or more.
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.