THERE are more than 1,300 homes in Bolton that have been standing empty for more than six months, figures reveal.

Last month it was revealed that Bolton Council had brought 599 empty homes back into use in just a year. And 550 owners agreed to complete work on their empty properties.

But there are still a whopping 1,309 homes in Bolton that have been standing empty for six months or longer.

Now, as part of Empty Homes Week, in a bid to tackle the issue, the council is appealing to owners of empty properties to take advantage of help on offer to make them habitable.

Around two-thirds of the empty homes (889) have been empty between six months and two years, and 420 have been empty for more than two years.

Cllr Nick Peel, executive cabinet member for environmental services, said: “Sometimes owners are struggling, and our team is here to help.

“Leaving a property empty for a long period can have a negative impact on the area and become a magnet for vandalism. It is in everyone’s interests to get that home occupied.”

Anyone who owns a property which has been empty for more than six months and meets the eligibility criteria, can apply for an interest-free loan of up to £20K from the council to bring their property up to a suitable standard for rental.

And an online Matchmaker scheme helps home owners who are looking to sell their home connect with investors who are registered with the council.

Around 30 properties are advertised on the council website and the number is growing, with more than 100 investors registered.

A match-making event is being held tomorrow at the Castle Hill Centre, Castleton Street between 5pm and 6.30pm. Empty property owners and potential home-buyers are invited.

The event is free, open to both groups, with the aim that they network and hopefully some empty properties are sold. Attendance must be registered in advance by e-mailing housingstandards@bolton.gov.uk.

Anyone who sees an empty property which is causing an issue or who owns an empty home and want help, is asked to contact the Housing Standards Team on 01204 336500 or email on housingstandards@bolton.gov.uk.

Cllr Peel said: “We write to every home owner and ask what their intentions are with the property and to see whether we can provide them with any assistance or advice.

“We always try and work with landlords first. In situations where we receive a complaint against an empty property, for example where the property’s appearance is poor, or its condition is resulting in it causing a nuisance to a neighbouring property, we first try to engage with the empty home owner informally.

“But if after repeated contact they don’t take action and the empty property is causing an issue, we can intervene and take enforcement action.

“Ultimately, this could result in the council completing works by default and charging the owner.”

The council can issue Section 215 notices, requiring owners to improve the appearance of the property within a set timeframe. If the owner fails to comply with the enforcement notice, the council will step in to undertake the work and pursue the owners for the costs.

He gave the example of a house in Tonge Moor Road which has been empty for seven and a half years. The property contains a ground and first floor flat.

After many attempts to get the owner to improve the appearance of the property, a section 215 notice to undertake improvement work was served in 2017.

The owners still did not act, resulting in the council arranging for the works to be completed, including new windows, repairs and repainting.

A charge has been set against the property and the owners are being pursued for the cost of the work as well as a long-term solution for the building.

A property in Lancaster Drive had been left empty since May 2010 with a half-completed extension.

A notice requiring improvement work was served in early 2018. The owners ignored the notice resulting in in the council arranging for the work to be completed.

A charge has been set against the property and the cost of the work will be recouped from the owners are currently being pursued for the cost of the work and a solution for the building.

Work undertaken included constructing a new pitched garage roof, replacing cracked/missing fascia boards, replacing black boards with windows and door, clearing litter and debris away from the garden areas.