Resonance has been working with other organisations to call on the government to focus on using empty homes to address the housing and homelessness crisis. There are currently 1 million empty homes in England, including 309,000 that have been empty for more than six months.

Many councils have employed Empty Homes Officers to help brind empty properties back into use. Here we meet Claudia Bowring, Empty Homes Officer at Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Tell us about your role.

Within my role as an Empty Homes Officer I work towards putting empty properties back into use. The main goal is to prevent wasted resources, which empty properties certainly are. I have to work out who the owner is, why the property has been left empty, whether there are any immediate concerns relating to its condition and what course of action is required to put the property back into use. I also work hard to promote the importance of dealing with empties, as there is so much value to be unlocked, the properties already fit within an established neighbourhood and it does not have an environmental impact putting these properties back into use, unlike new builds. 

How did you first become an empty homes officer?

I have always had a keen interest in property. Having worked as a land agent following the completion of my Masters in Rural Estate and Land Management, I found a real love for returning to use old farm buildings. I also really enjoy helping people, so when the opportunity arose to combine these passions within one role, I was keen to take it.

What’s the population within your LA boundaries?

2024 census data show a population of 126,736 in Rushcliffe, with the majority living in West Bridgford.

How many empty homes are there in Rushcliffe?

There are around 900 empty homes in Rushcliffe Borough, based on November 2025 council tax data, with long term empties making up the majority of the figure. This figure has increased, along with figures for other councils across England.

What would make your job easier?

Currently funding for empty homes is fragmented, as empty homes policy sits across multiple systems and funding has to be negotiated internally. My role would certainly be made easier if central funding was made available, as we would be able to provide grants to incentivise refurbishment works as well as carry out more enforcement activity. This would be made easier if government made empty homes a statutory duty and used empty homes as a core housing supply stream.

Additionally, tools available to Empty Homes Officers such as Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) and Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) are slow and expensive, which has resulted in them being underused. Streamlining these enforcement powers (reducing legal complexity and timeframes) would therefore massively increase usage and therefore return to use more homes.

What role do empty homes play in solving the housing crisis, both locally and nationally?

Empty properties present a wasted resource as they are homes that already fit within a community and are serviced by existing infrastructure such as roads, utilities and schools. Returning these homes back to use is quicker than building more homes and would significantly save on resources. I also think that empty homes have so much hidden potential to be repurposed those stuck on waiting lists for a home, which would also alleviate pressures on local councils.

Why is it important for councils to focus on reducing the number of empty homes?

At present, it is not statutory for councils to focus on reducing the number of empty homes, however I think they should be made to deal with them as empty homes are associated with a variety of issues including vandalism, reducing house prices, antisocial behaviour and pests. By tackling the problem head on, councils can reduce pressures on other departments such as their environmental health teams, the police and fire services. Additionally, empty homes have the potential to be used to meet shortfalls in housing supply and therefore should be seen as a useful and very much underused tool in local strategy.

What’s the biggest barrier to people living in suitable accommodation?

I would say the biggest barrier to persons living in suitable accommodation is definitely availability of stock as far as social housing goes, if thinking about private rentals then definitely its rent costs. 

What are your thoughts on Resonance’s model and the role it could play in bringing empty homes back into use to help tackle to homelessness crisis?

I think the Resonance model presents a very exciting opportunity for the empty homes sector, which is currently underfunded. The chance to use a social investment model to refurbish empty properties so that they can be brought back into use is something I am sure Empty Homes Officers across the country are keen to explore. It is an excellent way of taking a currently wasted resource and using it to help alleviate issues such as lack of safe housing. Since the model is based on forming partnerships, I also believe it is a great opportunity for Local Authorities to collaborate with different sectors and expand their own tool kit for tackling empty properties.

How many people are in temporary accommodation in your local authority area and what’s the average length of time there?

We have approx. 7 persons/families in TA at the moment and I would say the average time spent is 3 months appox. bear in mind our numbers for TA are very low compared to other local authorities in the county. 

What’s your most memorable/impactful empty homes project?

I enjoy all empty homes projects, as the circumstances behind each empty home are never the same. There is so much variation in condition, length of time empty and people involved, therefore I am required to vary my solutions and broaden my toolkit. Of note, I enjoy helping return to use properties where there is sentimental attachment to a property that has been in the family since they were a child. I find this rewarding as I am not only solving a housing issue but also helping people on a personal level as they feel empowered once they have overcome the emotional trauma preventing them from dealing with the empty property.

What’s your biggest frustration in your role?

There are many frustrations that come with the role. Firstly, it is frustrating when I do not have the tools available to carry out my job efficiently. For example, the EDMO process is time consuming and legally complex. I also find that the number of properties in Rushcliffe that are actually suitable for an EDMO is low, therefore I would look forward to seeing the legislation reformed or replaced with an easier to use tool. Secondly, limited resources and funding make carrying out the role challenging, as it limits what we as a council are able to do. For example, the empty homes premium is helpful in a number of circumstances, however not every homeowner is financially motivated and issues surrounding properties in need of repair are not solved by the additional tax and require other tools such as grants, which would require government to provide more support to empty homes strategies.

What are your hopes and predictions for the future of the empty homes situation locally and nationally?

I honestly feel like the topic of empty homes has gained traction over recent years and I can only see them becoming a larger tool in the governments toolbox for alleviating the housing crisis. I hope that dealing with empty homes becomes a statutory role and that along with that comes better funding. With the Local Government Reorganisation around the corner, there may be a possibility that empty homes strategies are streamlined, and a resource allocation improves.

About Claudia

Claudia Bowring is the Empty Homes Officer for Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC). Her role includes identifying empty properties and homeowners and working with them in line with RBC's Empty Homes Strategy 2024 – 2029, to bring any derelict and abandoned properties within the borough back into residential use. Within her role, Claudia offers advice and support selling properties, renovating and applying for probate. Her role also includes tracing owners where no contact details are available. When an owner fails to engage, she considers a range of enforcement options available to the Local Authority including improvement notices, debt recovery and enforced sales.