Being an area of high property demand, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are fortunate in that they do not have many empty properties, and those that are currently empty are scattered across the area.
Our private sector housing team does not hold a current list of empty properties, nor do we have a dedicated empty homes officer.
The definition of an empty property is one that has been empty for 6 months or longer. There are many reasons why properties are empty for over 6 months. These include properties:
- on the market for sale in probate, which, in some instances, if contested, can leave them empty for years
- awaiting planning permission or redevelopment; you can search for online planning applications to see if an application has been submitted for a specific property
- undergoing refurbishment
We realise that in some cases the properties are deliberately being left empty and would like to hear from you if you have any concerns about empty properties in your area.
While we no longer have any financial incentives or grants to help bring these properties back into use, we try to contact the owner to ask why the property is empty and to offer advice and support.
If there’s an empty property in your area that’s causing a nuisance, for example being broken into, vandalised or is attracting antisocial behaviour, please let us know by reporting it and we’ll liaise with our community safety team or environmental services as appropriate.
Report an empty property
Complete our empty property form online to tell us about an empty property.