There are 1,182 empty homes in North Somerset, according to Parker’s Estate Agents – and around 600 have been empty for more than six months.

Andrew Simmonds, Director at Parker’s, which has been operating in the area since 1989, says the total value of these long-term empty houses is £187 million.

He said:

“The number of empty homes in the area surprised me when we decided to look into it. Homes that are left empty for an extended period can affect a locality and we all know that there is a shortage of housing, so it is vital these properties are brought back into use as quickly as possible to generate much-needed housing for local people.

“This is impacting on the local housing market as there are currently not enough properties available for sale or rent which is pushing house prices up, making them less affordable for those who want to get on to the housing ladder.”

Mr Simmonds, an associate of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors who has worked in the residential property sector for more than 20 years, says that North Somerset Council is working with property owners to bring some of the empty properties back to the market.

He said:

“Some of the properties belong to private landlords or the local authority and are in the process of being refurbished after a previous tenant moved out. Any private landlords needing support in bringing properties back into use, or wanting to sell them, should get in touch with myself and my fellow director Juliet Noble, as agents we can help.

“Juliet has unrivalled knowledge of this area as she has been supporting families here for decades. Many of the properties are stuck because of probate. When a property owner passes away it can take six or twelve months for beneficiaries of the will to sort out a deceased estate. Sometimes they decide to renovate a property before sale.

“Some North Somerset homes are also empty because the owner has been placed into a care home, yet there is no Power of Attorney to put the home onto the market.

“It shows how important it is to plan ahead for these things.”

Mr Simmonds says the situation has remained the same for many years with hundreds of empty properties in the county at any one time.

“We need all parties to work together to bring homes back into use as quickly as possible in the current housing market.”

Information on Parker’s can be found at: wwww.parkers-estate-agents.com