‘MORE should be done’ to address Barnsley’s backlog of so-called void properties which stand empty despite thousands being on waiting lists for council housing, a councillor has claimed.
The Chronicle understands there are more than 300 so-called ‘void properties’ within the council’s own stock - ones which are empty and in need of repair work before they can be re-let - across Barnsley.
Coun Jake Lodge, who represents the Worsbrough ward, told the Chronicle that it was essential that voids are brought back into use as a matter of urgency.
“My ward’s been particularly impacted and there are many properties which need to be brought back into use given the amount of people who still are waiting for a council house,” he said.
“Statistics presented to councillors at a recent briefing suggest there are more than 300 voids borough-wide.
“All these should be brought back into the letting system to alleviate housing pressures faced by so many.
“It’s a win-win for the council as it isn’t cost-effective having so many standing empty.”
Berneslai Homes, which controls the council’s 18,000-strong stock, has made progress in bringing empty properties back into use in recent months, according to council bosses.
A total of £4.6m has been set aside for both 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years specifically for voids, as well as £6m for planned repairs.
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “A key focus for Berneslai Homes is to reduce the number of vacant homes as this impacts both rent loss and, most importantly, our ability to provide social housing for people who need it.
“It is correct that there is a backlog of void properties which require major work.
“The end-to-end voids process has been reviewed by both the council and Berneslai Homes, with significant changes planned from this month to streamline processes and reduce the time taken to re-let a home.
“This includes enabling our contractors to turn more properties around within ten days as part of the routine void process and better financial and performance monitoring.
“As of last month, there were 25 voids in Worsbrough Bridge, Worsbrough Dale and Worsbrough Common.
“Between February 17 and March 20, there were five voids re-let in those areas.
“Seventeen properties require more extensive works and these are classed as major voids.”
Aside from the council-owned empty homes, there are about 1,400 privately-owned houses which are without tenants in Barnsley.
There are also 80 properties that have been empty for five years and 32 that have been left vacant for a whole decade, leading the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to announce that, starting this month, council tax bills on long-term empty properties will double.
The rules, which will see a strengthened 100 per cent council tax premium on empty homes, will apply when a property has been empty for 12 months, down from the previous two-year term in an effort to force landlords to act.
Minister for Local Government Simon Hoare said: “Long-term empty properties are shutting local families and young people out of the housing market as they are being denied the opportunity to rent or buy in their own community.
“We are taking action as part of our long-term plan for housing.
“That means delivering more of the right homes in the right places and giving councils more powers to help give local people the homes they need.”
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FAMILIES in Barnsley are having to wait more than three years for a suitable council house, latest figures have revealed.
The growing wait times for a three-bedroom social home have been called a ‘national scandal’, with the national waiting list increasing by over a third in a decade.
New data compiled by the National Housing Federation, Crisis and Shelter shows the average wait for a three-bed social home in Barnsley is now 3.7 years.
The figures were generated from the average annual wait time from 2021/22 to 2023/24.
They assume no new additions to the waiting list and are calculated on how many years it would take to clear the backlog at the average rate of lettings.
Matt Downie, chief executive of homelessness charity Crisis, said: “It’s ludicrous that in some areas of the country the wait for a social home is more than average life expectancy.
“The government must commit to building social housing at scale and provide the necessary investment so that we can create a stronger society where everyone has the foundation of a safe home.”
