A LANDMARK deal to help improve a community blighted by a rundown property has been secured by Stockton Borough Council.

Other private owners of dilapidated properties are being warned they could face similar action if they don’t take responsibility for their properties.

The council secured management of the empty property after the owner continually refused to carry out renovation work, which led to the house being targeted by vandals and becoming a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

Following concerns from residents and ongoing work and support by ward councillors, the council’s empty property team has secured an interim empty dwelling management order for the property in Redcar Road, Thornaby.

The council is the first local authority in the Tees Valley, and only the second in the North-East, to successfully apply for an order.

Coun Steve Nelson, the council cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “Empty properties are not only an eyesore to an area, but they can also attract flytipping as well as anti-social behaviour.

“We will work with people affected and use all the powers available to us to bring the empty houses back into use.”

The deal allows the council to take over the management of the privately-owned property, which has been empty for more than six years, to carry out any renovation work with a view to returning it to use.

Across the borough, 2,099 private properties are empty, with 1,116 of them being empty for more than six months – an issue the council is working hard to address.

During the initial informal stage, the council works with owners to encourage them to bring their property back into use.

This can be through providing details of investors who may wish to buy them, information on estate agents who may offer reduced rates, and providing advice on how to sell properties or rent them out.

If this approach is not successful and an owner does not return a house to use, the local authority has a range of powers to improve the appearance of the house and surrounding area.

These include the removal of accumulated rubbish, making sure work is carried out to make a building safe, or taking action to tackle the unsightly external appearance of a property.

Anyone who would like to report empty houses to the council, or for advice and assistance in returning an empty property to use, call 01642-526687 or email emptyproperty@ stockton.gov.uk.