Council Flat In Chiswick Vacant For Seven Years

Local councillor slams lack of use of Bath Road property

A Hounslow Council property on Bath Road, Chiswick has been lying idle without tenants since 2007, losing thousands in rental income.

Local Councillor John Todd said it was "yet another example of significant housing assets in W4 not being used for a considerable time". He said it was "disgraceful".

The property is a first floor flat on Bath Road.

Cllr Todd said he had raised the matter with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and notified the Council leader and senior officials.

Last year Hounslow Council lost almost £12,000 in rental income from a six-bedroom house in Grove Park which had been lying vacant since 2011. Another property in Edensor Road had lost the Council nearly £7000 since being vacated by tenants. The properties have now been renovated and the Park Road one has been sold.

Cllr Todd claimed last year that £1.5million had been lost in revenue to LBH because of extended "void" periods in Council-owned properties across the borough. Empty Council properties are known as "voids".

He estimated then there were 236 void properties across the borough where the void length ranged from three weeks to 741 weeks. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee said it would take action on the matter of empty properties.

The Council has stated that the Bath Road property will be converted to a 2 bedroom flat , without the need to pass through the communal hall. This work will be completed in the next financial year.

January 1, 2015