HC Deb 06 July 1982 vol 27 c95W
Mr. Wheeler

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take further steps to encourage private owners to bring into use the estimated 80,000 empty homes in inner London.

Mr. Stanley

The Government have taken several steps to encourage private owners to bring vacant property back into use, including—

  1. i. the introduction of shorthold;
  2. ii. the removal of disincentives to temporarily absent owner-occupiers, Service men and owners of retirement homes to let their homes;
  3. iii. the encouragement of the "North Wiltshire" scheme under which local authorities can lease empty private accommodation for an agreed period with a guaranteed right of repossession for the private owner;
  4. iv. the provision following the Budget of a further sum for improvement grants amounting, in inner London, to over £7 million, coupled with the availability until 31 December this year of a 90 per cent. rate for intermediate grants and a repairs grant at up to 90 per cent.;
  5. v. giving local authorities the power to guarantee mortgages provided by building societies for lending on older dwellings.