At the end of October, Pathmeads, part of Genesis Housing Group, completed the refurbishment of an empty two-bedroom property in Stanstead through its innovative 'PLACE' scheme to bring empty properties back into use. The property, having fallen into disrepair, had been empty for over two years. Now, Uttlesford Council can begin the process of referring a family in housing need.

Pathmeads arranged a 100% grant-funded refurbishment through its Private Lease Agreement Converting Empties (PLACE) Scheme to bring the house up standard at a cost of approximately £40,000 + VAT. Works undertaken included: renewing a flat roof, installing a new heating system, complete new electrical wiring of the property, fitting a new bathroom and kitchen, and putting in a new course of damp proofing. All work was carried out by Shenstone Service Ltd, over a seven week period.

The property is leased to Pathmeads Housing Association for a period of three years and once a family in housing need (referred by Uttlesford District Council's housing register) is able to move into the property, they will pay an affordable rent. The rental income will cover management and maintenance costs during the three-year lease. After this period the property will be returned to its owner, or a new lease will be taken out in an attempt to ensure that the property is not left empty again.

Pathmeads operates its 'PLACE' scheme with a consortium of five councils: Chelmsford Borough Council, Epping Forest District Council, Harlow District Council, Uttlesford District Council, and East Hertfordshire District Council.

This consortium of councils successfully bid for grant funding from Communities and Local Government in 2006 to fund a renovation and lease scheme for empty properties. The grant funding is provided to cover any works required to bring empty property up to the Government's Decent Homes Standards.

Feargal Ward, Managing Director at Pathmeads, says "Pathmeads is committed to working on bringing empty properties back into use. Too often, bringing empty homes back into use is seen as being problematic or too time consuming to bother with. However, Pathmeads is proud to be working with a number of partner authorities to deliver innovative solutions to tackle these barriers and turn empty properties into attractive homes for people. We believe that our breadth of experience in dealing with this problem places us in a unique position to undertake similar projects in other locations."

For further information please contact
Diana Evans on 020 7563 0028 / diana.evans@ghg.org.uk