SitexOrbis responds to the fall in the number of vacant homes in Scotland

The total number of vacant homes in Scotland is at its lowest since 2008, according to a recent report, but vacant property expert SitexOrbis argues that it is still a major issue for councils and must be managed effectively.

The total number of vacant homes in Scotland, including both public and private properties, decreased slightly in 2010 by 0.6 per cent, according to the latest annual Bank of Scotland vacant property report. But while this is a decrease of 3,000 to 103,433, this lower figure still accounts for a substantial 4.2 per cent of all homes in Scotland.

The report found that house prices are lower in areas with the highest numbers of vacant homes. Property prices in the 10 Scottish local authority districts with the highest proportion of vacant homes are, on average, 3 per cent (£3,944) below the average for Scotland. For example, house prices in Inverclyde, which has a vacant homes rate of 6.5 per cent, trade at 22 per cent (£30,151) below the average house price.

This demonstrates the importance of councils managing vacant properties correctly and getting them reinhabited quickly. This prevents the area spiralling into disrepair and could save councils substantial trouble and expense. The rise in the scrap value of metal has seen a dramatic increase in theft of copper and lead from properties, including social housing, over the past year. These thefts not only cause costly damage to property, but also have resulted in life-threatening situations. In March last year an explosion in an empty flat in a three-storey Liverpool Housing Trust property in Runcorn was blamed on copper piping being stolen. Lost lead from a building’s roof can cause severe leaks resulting in the cost of replastering and redecorating. Stolen copper piping also causes problems with heating systems and water supply. In England and Wales there is also the risk of squatters which is not yet treated as a criminal offence. (In Scotland this is less of an issue given that squatting is a criminal offence and squatters can be evicted immediately.)

Louis Fordham, general manager at SitexOrbis in Scotland, said: "Although the fall in the number of vacant homes in Scotland is excellent news, the need to effectively protect vacant properties is just as vital as ever given the rise in metal theft in recent months. We advise local authorities to continue to be vigilant and to take measures to mitigate the risks. To help them do so, we continue to work hard to deliver the best vacant property solutions, which combine innovative technology solutions and local expertise."

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