Vacant Houses

HC Deb 21 January 1964 vol 687 cc896-7

11. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, in view of the housing shortage, he will introduce legislation permitting local authorities to levy rates on houses vacant for more than three months or alternatively to acquire and let them.

Sir K. Joseph

The rating of empty properties will be considered as part of the general review of the rating system, though I do not believe that it would have any significant effect on the period for which houses remain vacant and there are considerable practical difficulties. Local authorities already have power to acquire and let houses.

Mr. Allaun

I am grateful for that reply, which does not fully close the door on the subject. May I ask the Minister whether he is aware that tens of thousands of houses have been vacant for more than three months, mainly because the owners are holding out for higher rents or higher selling prices? If this proposal were introduced, would not it provide an incentive to these owners to sell or to let at more reasonable rents? May I ask the Minister whether he is aware—I must admit that this is a very strange business—that some of these houses are going to rack and ruin despite the fact that the owner is suffering as a result?

Sir K. Joseph

I think that we want to distinguish between houses left empty in towns where there is not overpopulation, compared with dwellings and houses in the crowded areas. I do not want to prejudge this issue. There are relatively few houses where the owners are waiting for a better market, and I do not believe that those owners would be deterred by higher rates. In most cases the houses are empty awaiting a change of occupation or while alterations and improvements are being carried out.

Mr. MacColl

While it does not follow that this situation arises in areas with low populations, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that in Paddington, the most densely populated borough in London, the number of empty properties is one of the highest? Does not this show that something must be wrong?

Sir K. Joseph

I have no evidence that the number of empty properties in Paddington is one of the highest in the country, but it could happen to be an area also where a great deal of improvement, alteration, and conversion is going on.