09/03/2026
A nice bit of recognition
Every empty home has a story
Dorset Council is marking Empty Homes Week by highlighting the many reasons properties can become empty and explaining how the council supports owners, families and anyone responsible for an empty home now or in the future.
From probate delays and stalled renovation projects to owners entering long-term care, every empty property has its own circumstances. Understanding those differences is key to bringing homes back into use and reducing their impact on neighbourhoods.
This year’s focus follows the approval of the council’s ambitious Dorset Council Empty Homes Strategy, which sets out a long-term plan to bring more empty properties back into use across Dorset.
The strategy strengthens the council’s proactive work with property owners, expands the range of support available, and emphasises that enforcement powers are used only where necessary and as a last resort.
Since 2022, council interventions have helped bring 64 long-term empty homes back into use. In the current financial year (2025/26), the number returned to use has increased to 23, compared with 16 the previous year.
While this reflects strong progress, the scale of the challenge remains significant. Across Dorset, more than 800 homes have been empty for two years or longer.
Homes can stand empty for many different reasons, including:
• probate or inheritance delays
• owners entering hospital or long-term care
• financial barriers to repairs
• abandoned or unused second homes
• stalled renovation or planning issues
Gill Taylor, Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, said:
“Every empty home has a story and every story is different. What matters is that people know we are here to help.
Whether you own an empty home yourself, are supporting a relative or friend, or think you may inherit a property in the future, please contact us early.
We can offer practical solutions, guidance and, where needed, more formal action to ensure these homes come back into use for the benefit of our communities and to help increase the availability of homes for local people.”
The council says progress can sometimes be slow. In some cases it can be difficult to locate owners or next of kin, and legal processes can take time. Officers must also carefully consider human rights and equality legislation before taking formal action.
Despite these challenges, the council continues to work with property owners through advice, incentives, ethical loan schemes and leasing options, alongside proportionate enforcement when necessary.
Case study: Southview Road, Weymouth
One example is a long-term empty property in Weymouth that had become unsafe, vandalised and illegally occupied.
After repeated attempts to engage the owner, Dorset Council used Compulsory Purchase Order powers as a last resort.
Following the purchase, the property was sold to a new owner who undertook a full refurbishment. The transformation is now nearing completion, with the house set to become a home once again.
The improvements included:
• rebuilding the front bays and rendering the entire front façade for stability and safety
• installing a brand-new central heating system
• creating an additional bedroom and a new bathroom
• fitting a completely new kitchen
• building a new extension
Empty homes can also benefit from improvements to energy efficiency. The council recently launched Homewise energy advice tool, a free online service that provides tailored guidance to help make homes warmer and more affordable to run.
The tool creates a personalised energy action plan and provides information about funding options, including the Warm Homes Local Grant.
Residents who would like advice or support regarding an empty property are encouraged to contact the council’s Empty Homes team. https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/housing/empty-homes?p_l_back_url=%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dempty%2Bhomes%2Bteam&fbclid=IwVERDUAQbgEBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe_zYDezSuuvM199mvUOVPLsITaDRkwEd7gjl1lvbotlJ6640Qlm7MB2htJRs_aem_w472lCLZ4CKnPG3jPXFn4w
Empty Homes Week, organised by Action on Empty Homes, runs from 9 to 15 March 2026 and aims to raise awareness of the impact empty properties can have on communities while highlighting solutions to bring them back into use.
